Northern Kentucky Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Northern Kentucky University is a public research university in Highland Heights, Kentucky, serving roughly 8,246 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 67.65% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $50,220 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $11,088
- 2024 Average Net Price: $8,191 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 67.65% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 8,246 82.4% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 52.24%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
- First-Generation Students: 38.1%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 2.9% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 17.8% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 54.8%
- Average SAT Score: 1087
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,767
- Applicants (IPEDS): 6,417
- Room & Board: $12,712 annual estimate
Northern Kentucky University: what the data shows
Common questions about Northern Kentucky University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY (ZIP 41099).
NCES locale classification: Rural fringe.
Is Northern Kentucky University public or private?
Northern Kentucky University is a Public institution.
How much does Northern Kentucky University cost?
Published tuition: $11,088 in-state, $21,912 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $8,191.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $2,603 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $3,630 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $6,761 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $12,679 |
| $110,001+ | $14,522 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $44,352.
How hard is it to get into Northern Kentucky University?
Admission rate: 67.65%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1087 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Northern Kentucky University?
Total enrollment: 8,246 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 11,767 students.
Graduate enrollment: 5,184 students.
About 82% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Northern Kentucky University?
150%-time completion rate: 52.24%.
First-year retention: 75.5%.
What do graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn?
Median earnings: $42,105 six years after entry; $50,220 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $23,000.
25.23% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Northern Kentucky University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse (864 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (453 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (371 completions)
- Psychology, General (134 completions)
- Social Work (132 completions)
- Law (126 completions)
- Elementary Education and Teaching (118 completions)
- Nursing Practice (99 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (96 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (74 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Northern Kentucky University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 67.65%; completion rate 52.24%; median earnings $50,220 at 10 years; net price $8,191. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$11,088
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Northern Kentucky University was $11,088.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$8,191
2024 Value
In 2024 Northern Kentucky University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $8,191.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$32,764 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$8,191 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$44,352 4-Year In-State Tuition
$87,648 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,712 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$800 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$24,600 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$98,400 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Northern Kentucky University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
25.23% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
30.95% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Northern Kentucky University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Northern Kentucky University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $8,376 | $16,464 | $8,753 |
| 2014 | $8,856 | $17,328 | $8,014 |
| 2015 | $9,120 | $17,856 | $8,966 |
| 2016 | $9,384 | $18,384 | $8,446 |
| 2017 | $9,744 | $19,104 | $9,131 |
| 2018 | $10,032 | $19,680 | $9,244 |
| 2019 | $10,296 | $20,256 | $9,049 |
| 2020 | $10,296 | $20,256 | $9,183 |
| 2021 | $10,392 | $20,448 | $6,575 |
| 2022 | $10,592 | $20,848 | $6,087 |
| 2023 | $10,896 | $21,480 | $7,168 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
67.65% Acceptance Rate
6,417 Total Applicants
6,162 Students Admitted
1,295 First-Time Students Enrolled
21.02% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1087
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Northern Kentucky University reported total enrollment of about 8,246 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 41% male and 59% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (74.6%), Black or African American (8.1%), and Hispanic or Latino (5.1%). About 25.23% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 38.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
82.4% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Northern Kentucky University in 2024 is 8,246 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 11,767 students. Graduate enrollment is about 5,184 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
75.5%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 74.6%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
36.36% 100% Completion Time
52.24% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 36.36% of students graduating from Northern Kentucky University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 12% male / 88% female
- Business/Commerce, General: 49% male / 51% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 55% male / 45% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Northern Kentucky University.
Return on Investment
$23,000 Median Student Debt
$50,220 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
45.80% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1432.78% Return on Investment
4.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Northern Kentucky University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 91 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse: 864 completions
2. Business/Commerce, General: 453 completions
3. Business Administration and Management, General: 371 completions
4. Psychology, General: 134 completions
5. Social Work: 132 completions
6. Law: 126 completions
7. Elementary Education and Teaching: 118 completions
8. Nursing Practice: 99 completions
9. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 96 completions
Most popular programs at Northern Kentucky University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Northern Kentucky University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Northern Kentucky University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 54.8%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,693
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,637
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Northern Kentucky University is a public institution located in Highland Heights, KY, classified as Doctoral/Professional Universities. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business/Commerce, General, Business Administration and Management, General. Enrollment is approximately 8,246 students. Student body composition includes White (74.6%), Black or African American (8.1%), Hispanic or Latino (5.1%). The admission rate is 67.65%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1087. The 150%-time completion rate is 52.24%. Approximately 25.23% of students receive Pell Grants. About 38.1% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral/Professional Universities
Location
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Region: Southeast
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 91 distinct degree programs, Northern Kentucky University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Northern Kentucky University located?
Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, KY.
What is Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Northern Kentucky University is 67.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 6,417 applicants and 6,162 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Northern Kentucky University cost?
Reported tuition is $11,088 and average net price is $8,191 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,712 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 11,767 students, White (74.6%), Black or African American (8.1%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Northern Kentucky University?
About 38.1% of students at Northern Kentucky University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Northern Kentucky University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Northern Kentucky University reports midpoint SAT about 1087 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn?
Median earnings are $42,105 six years after entry and $50,220 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Northern Kentucky University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 52.2% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Northern Kentucky University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $23,000.
Is Northern Kentucky University public or private?
Northern Kentucky University is a public institution located in Highland Heights, KY.
Is Northern Kentucky University an HBCU?
No. Northern Kentucky University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Northern Kentucky University a tribal college?
No. Northern Kentucky University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Kentucky college profile
- Kentucky college costs
- Kentucky colleges by ROI
- University of Kentucky vs University of Louisville vs Northern Kentucky University
- Southeast regional profile
- Rural college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Kentucky
- Kentucky college costs
- Kentucky colleges by ROI
- University of Kentucky vs University of Louisville vs Northern Kentucky University
- Southeast regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Kentucky
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.