Skip to content

Colleges › Kentucky › Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University is a public campus in suburban Highland Heights, KY.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$1,813
family income
under $30k
$3,022
$30–48k
$6,638
$48–75k
$11,227
$75–110k
$13,270
over $110k

Average net price

$8,1912023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$6k$8k$10k$12k$14k200820232008: $13,4382009: $7,3622010: $7,7532011: $8,1792012: $8,7532013: $8,0142014: $8,9662015: $8,4462016: $9,1312017: $9,2442018: $9,0492019: $9,1832020: $6,5752021: $6,0872022: $7,1682023: $8,191$8,191
$8k$10k$13k200820232008: $13,4382009: $7,3622010: $7,7532011: $8,1792012: $8,7532013: $8,0142014: $8,9662015: $8,4462016: $9,1312017: $9,2442018: $9,0492019: $9,1832020: $6,5752021: $6,0872022: $7,1682023: $8,191$8,191

Average net price at Northern Kentucky University fell from $13,438 (2008) to $8,191 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$13,438
2009$7,362
2010$7,753
2011$8,179
2012$8,753
2013$8,014
2014$8,966
2015$8,446
2016$9,131
2017$9,244
2018$9,049
2019$9,183
2020$6,575
2021$6,087
2022$7,168
2023$8,191
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$19,7252024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$12k$14k$16k$18k$20k200920242009: $15,3562010: $12,7362011: $13,4792012: $13,9082013: $14,6032014: $15,1592015: $16,2122016: $16,8552017: $17,3772018: $17,7112019: $17,8882020: $17,8692021: $17,1122022: $18,8992023: $19,4712024: $19,725$19,725
$13k$15k$18k$20k200920242009: $15,3562010: $12,7362011: $13,4792012: $13,9082013: $14,6032014: $15,1592015: $16,2122016: $16,8552017: $17,3772018: $17,7112019: $17,8882020: $17,8692021: $17,1122022: $18,8992023: $19,4712024: $19,725$19,725

Total cost at Northern Kentucky University rose from $15,356 (2009) to $19,725 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$15,356
2010$12,736
2011$13,479
2012$13,908
2013$14,603
2014$15,159
2015$16,212
2016$16,855
2017$17,377
2018$17,711
2019$17,888
2020$17,869
2021$17,112
2022$18,899
2023$19,471
2024$19,725
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state
$5k$10k$15k$20k200020232000: $2,7542001: $2,8862002: $3,2162003: $3,7442004: $4,3682005: $4,9682006: $5,4482007: $5,9522008: $6,5282013: $8,3762014: $8,8582015: $9,1202016: $9,3842017: $9,7442018: $10,0322019: $10,2962020: $10,2962021: $10,3922022: $10,5922023: $10,896$10,896 in2000: $7,0022001: $7,1342002: $7,4642003: $7,9922004: $9,0962005: $9,6962006: $10,2002007: $10,7762008: $11,9522013: $16,4642014: $17,3282015: $17,8562016: $18,3842017: $19,1042018: $19,6802019: $20,2562020: $20,2562021: $20,4482022: $20,8482023: $21,480$21,480 out
$10k$20k200020232000: $2,7542001: $2,8862002: $3,2162003: $3,7442004: $4,3682005: $4,9682006: $5,4482007: $5,9522008: $6,5282013: $8,3762014: $8,8582015: $9,1202016: $9,3842017: $9,7442018: $10,0322019: $10,2962020: $10,2962021: $10,3922022: $10,5922023: $10,896$10,896 in2000: $7,0022001: $7,1342002: $7,4642003: $7,9922004: $9,0962005: $9,6962006: $10,2002007: $10,7762008: $11,9522013: $16,4642014: $17,3282015: $17,8562016: $18,3842017: $19,1042018: $19,6802019: $20,2562020: $20,2562021: $20,4482022: $20,8482023: $21,480$21,480 out

Tuition — data
YearIn-stateOut-of-state
2000$2,754$7,002
2001$2,886$7,134
2002$3,216$7,464
2003$3,744$7,992
2004$4,368$9,096
2005$4,968$9,696
2006$5,448$10,200
2007$5,952$10,776
2008$6,528$11,952
2013$8,376$16,464
2014$8,858$17,328
2015$9,120$17,856
2016$9,384$18,384
2017$9,744$19,104
2018$10,032$19,680
2019$10,296$20,256
2020$10,296$20,256
2021$10,392$20,448
2022$10,592$20,848
2023$10,896$21,480
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Northern Kentucky University reports tuition of $11,088 for in-state students and $21,912 for out-of-state students. Check Northern Kentucky University’s residency rules, attendance budget and aid offer. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 8,246 undergrads, Northern Kentucky University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

52.2% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Northern Kentucky University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
52.2%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

30%40%50%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 24.4%entered 1992: 24.7%entered 1993: 25.8%entered 1994: 25.2%entered 1995: 28.9%entered 1996: 27%entered 1997: 28.1%entered 1998: 32.9%entered 1999: 35.4%entered 2000: 33.4%entered 2001: 33%entered 2002: 33%entered 2003: 32.5%entered 2004: 34.2%entered 2005: 37.4%entered 2006: 37.3%entered 2007: 37.9%entered 2008: 36.2%entered 2009: 39.8%entered 2010: 37.6%entered 2011: 39.7%entered 2012: 42.5%entered 2013: 45.6%entered 2014: 46.6%entered 2015: 47.8%entered 2016: 50%entered 2017: 48.3%entered 2018: 52.2%52.2%
30%40%50%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 24.4%entered 1992: 24.7%entered 1993: 25.8%entered 1994: 25.2%entered 1995: 28.9%entered 1996: 27%entered 1997: 28.1%entered 1998: 32.9%entered 1999: 35.4%entered 2000: 33.4%entered 2001: 33%entered 2002: 33%entered 2003: 32.5%entered 2004: 34.2%entered 2005: 37.4%entered 2006: 37.3%entered 2007: 37.9%entered 2008: 36.2%entered 2009: 39.8%entered 2010: 37.6%entered 2011: 39.7%entered 2012: 42.5%entered 2013: 45.6%entered 2014: 46.6%entered 2015: 47.8%entered 2016: 50%entered 2017: 48.3%entered 2018: 52.2%52.2%

The six-year graduation rate at Northern Kentucky University rose from 24.4% (entered 1991) to 52.2% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort24.4%
1992 cohort24.7%
1993 cohort25.8%
1994 cohort25.2%
1995 cohort28.9%
1996 cohort27%
1997 cohort28.1%
1998 cohort32.9%
1999 cohort35.4%
2000 cohort33.4%
2001 cohort33%
2002 cohort33%
2003 cohort32.5%
2004 cohort34.2%
2005 cohort37.4%
2006 cohort37.3%
2007 cohort37.9%
2008 cohort36.2%
2009 cohort39.8%
2010 cohort37.6%
2011 cohort39.7%
2012 cohort42.5%
2013 cohort45.6%
2014 cohort46.6%
2015 cohort47.8%
2016 cohort50%
2017 cohort48.3%
2018 cohort52.2%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $12,332Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $12,104Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $11,132Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $12,727Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,595Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,938Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $14,250Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,500Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $15,517Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,658Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $19,000Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $20,625Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $21,868Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $22,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,650Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $24,655Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $24,914Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $24,484Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $24,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,000$23,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $3,042Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $3,147Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $2,822Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,060Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,048Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $5,723Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $11,229Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $7,712Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $7,500$7,500 left
$10k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $12,332Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $12,104Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $11,132Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $12,727Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $13,595Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $13,938Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $14,250Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $14,500Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $15,517Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $16,658Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $19,000Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $20,625Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $21,868Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $22,750Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $23,650Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $24,655Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $24,914Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $24,484Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $24,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $23,250Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $23,000$23,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98): $3,042Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99): $3,147Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $2,822Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $3,060Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $3,048Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $3,500Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $3,750Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $4,375Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $5,500Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $5,723Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $6,250Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $11,229Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,250Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $7,712Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $7,500$7,500 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 (FY1997/98)$11,000$3,042
Left school in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (FY1998/99)$11,625$3,147
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)$12,332$2,822
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$12,104$3,060
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$11,000$3,048
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$11,132$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$12,727$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$13,595$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$13,938$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$14,250$3,500
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$14,500$3,750
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$15,517$4,375
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$16,658$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$19,000$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$20,625$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$21,868$5,500
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$22,750$5,723
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$23,650$6,250
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$24,655$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$24,914$11,229
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$24,484$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$24,250$8,250
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$23,250$7,712
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$23,000$7,500
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$42,105
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$46,837
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$50,220
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Northern Kentucky University admitted 4,098 of 6,058 applicants in Fall 2024. The 67.6% rate describes that application pool.

67.6%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 953–11501600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Northern Kentucky University received 6,058 applications and admitted 4,098 (67.6%), with 1,510 enrolling.

Northern Kentucky University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Northern Kentucky University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 473–590 and Math was 480–560 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 953–1150 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing473530590
SAT Math480510560
ACT Composite182125

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

67.7%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

60%80%100%200520242005: 75.1%2006: 71%2007: 70.7%2008: 77.6%2009: 69.2%2010: 66.3%2011: 66.3%2012: 64.2%2013: 46.7%2014: 90.7%2015: 91.9%2016: 91.1%2017: 90.4%2018: 89.3%2019: 90.2%2020: 87%2021: 80.3%2022: 86%2023: 96%2024: 67.7%67.7%
60%80%100%200520242005: 75.1%2006: 71%2007: 70.7%2008: 77.6%2009: 69.2%2010: 66.3%2011: 66.3%2012: 64.2%2013: 46.7%2014: 90.7%2015: 91.9%2016: 91.1%2017: 90.4%2018: 89.3%2019: 90.2%2020: 87%2021: 80.3%2022: 86%2023: 96%2024: 67.7%67.7%

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200575.1%
Fall 200671%
Fall 200770.7%
Fall 200877.6%
Fall 200969.2%
Fall 201066.3%
Fall 201166.3%
Fall 201264.2%
Fall 201346.7%
Fall 201490.7%
Fall 201591.9%
Fall 201691.1%
Fall 201790.4%
Fall 201889.3%
Fall 201990.2%
Fall 202087%
Fall 202180.3%
Fall 202286%
Fall 202396%
Fall 202467.7%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2005–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

953–1150Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA800100012002016 REDESIGN2005202420162005: 8802006: 8702007: 8882008: 8602009: 8502010: 8702011: 8652012: 8802013: 8702014: 9002015: 9202016: 8802017: 9932018: 9902019: 10202020: 9602021: 9832022: 10302023: 9162024: 9539532005: 11002006: 11002007: 11002008: 11102009: 10802010: 11032011: 11052012: 11002013: 11102014: 11202015: 11752016: 11602017: 12102018: 12302019: 12402020: 11902021: 12102022: 12902023: 11332024: 11501150
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA800100012002016 REDESIGN2005202420162005: 8802006: 8702007: 8882008: 8602009: 8502010: 8702011: 8652012: 8802013: 8702014: 9002015: 9202016: 8802017: 9932018: 9902019: 10202020: 9602021: 9832022: 10302023: 9162024: 9539532005: 11002006: 11002007: 11002008: 11102009: 10802010: 11032011: 11052012: 11002013: 11102014: 11202015: 11752016: 11602017: 12102018: 12302019: 12402020: 11902021: 12102022: 12902023: 11332024: 11501150

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20058801100
Fall 20068701100
Fall 20078881100
Fall 20088601110
Fall 20098501080
Fall 20108701103
Fall 20118651105
Fall 20128801100
Fall 20138701110
Fall 20149001120
Fall 20159201175
Fall 20168801160
Fall 20179931210
Fall 20189901230
Fall 201910201240
Fall 20209601190
Fall 20219831210
Fall 202210301290
Fall 20239161133
Fall 20249531150
IPEDS Fall 2005–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

18–25Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA1820222426200520242005: 182006: 182007: 192008: 192009: 192010: 192011: 192012: 192013: 192014: 202015: 202016: 202017: 202018: 202019: 202020: 202021: 202022: 192023: 192024: 18182005: 232006: 232007: 232008: 232009: 242010: 242011: 242012: 242013: 252014: 252015: 262016: 262017: 262018: 262019: 262020: 262021: 262022: 252023: 252024: 2525
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA2025200520242005: 182006: 182007: 192008: 192009: 192010: 192011: 192012: 192013: 192014: 202015: 202016: 202017: 202018: 202019: 202020: 202021: 202022: 192023: 192024: 18182005: 232006: 232007: 232008: 232009: 242010: 242011: 242012: 242013: 252014: 252015: 262016: 262017: 262018: 262019: 262020: 262021: 262022: 252023: 252024: 2525

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20051823
Fall 20061823
Fall 20071923
Fall 20081923
Fall 20091924
Fall 20101924
Fall 20111924
Fall 20121924
Fall 20131925
Fall 20142025
Fall 20152026
Fall 20162026
Fall 20172026
Fall 20182026
Fall 20192026
Fall 20202026
Fall 20212026
Fall 20221925
Fall 20231925
Fall 20241825
IPEDS Fall 2005–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

8,246Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

8k10k12k200220242002: 11,5582003: 11,6562004: 11,6692005: 11,6212006: 12,0152007: 12,0582008: 12,2962009: 12,4652010: 12,2132011: 12,1842012: 12,2252013: 11,9762014: 11,6542015: 11,3022016: 11,0332017: 10,7282018: 10,2012019: 9,8822020: 9,6042021: 8,9822022: 8,6772023: 8,0652024: 8,2468,246
8k10k12k200220242002: 11,5582003: 11,6562004: 11,6692005: 11,6212006: 12,0152007: 12,0582008: 12,2962009: 12,4652010: 12,2132011: 12,1842012: 12,2252013: 11,9762014: 11,6542015: 11,3022016: 11,0332017: 10,7282018: 10,2012019: 9,8822020: 9,6042021: 8,9822022: 8,6772023: 8,0652024: 8,2468,246

Undergraduate enrollment at Northern Kentucky University fell from 11,558 (Fall 2002) to 8,246 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 200211,558
Fall 200311,656
Fall 200411,669
Fall 200511,621
Fall 200612,015
Fall 200712,058
Fall 200812,296
Fall 200912,465
Fall 201012,213
Fall 201112,184
Fall 201212,225
Fall 201311,976
Fall 201411,654
Fall 201511,302
Fall 201611,033
Fall 201710,728
Fall 201810,201
Fall 20199,882
Fall 20209,604
Fall 20218,982
Fall 20228,677
Fall 20238,065
Fall 20248,246
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

76%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

65%70%75%200220232002: 63%2003: 64%2004: 67%2005: 74%2006: 69%2007: 67%2008: 67%2009: 69%2010: 66%2011: 67%2012: 67%2013: 69%2014: 69%2015: 72%2016: 73%2017: 69%2018: 72%2019: 75%2020: 70%2021: 77%2022: 78%2023: 76%76%
65%70%75%200220232002: 63%2003: 64%2004: 67%2005: 74%2006: 69%2007: 67%2008: 67%2009: 69%2010: 66%2011: 67%2012: 67%2013: 69%2014: 69%2015: 72%2016: 73%2017: 69%2018: 72%2019: 75%2020: 70%2021: 77%2022: 78%2023: 76%76%

First-year retention at Northern Kentucky University rose from 63% (Fall 2002) to 76% (Fall 2023).

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort63%
Fall 2003 cohort64%
Fall 2004 cohort67%
Fall 2005 cohort74%
Fall 2006 cohort69%
Fall 2007 cohort67%
Fall 2008 cohort67%
Fall 2009 cohort69%
Fall 2010 cohort66%
Fall 2011 cohort67%
Fall 2012 cohort67%
Fall 2013 cohort69%
Fall 2014 cohort69%
Fall 2015 cohort72%
Fall 2016 cohort73%
Fall 2017 cohort69%
Fall 2018 cohort72%
Fall 2019 cohort75%
Fall 2020 cohort70%
Fall 2021 cohort77%
Fall 2022 cohort78%
Fall 2023 cohort76%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about Northern Kentucky University

25.2% of Northern Kentucky University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Northern Kentucky University as a primarily nonresidential campus — most of its 8,246 undergraduates live off campus, and 75.5% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Northern Kentucky University's SAT section-percentile sums are 953–1150 — their midpoint is below the KY four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Northern Kentucky University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Northern Kentucky University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Northern Kentucky University67.6%
Kentucky median79.6%
National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Northern Kentucky University$11,088
Kentucky median$26,625
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Northern Kentucky University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Northern Kentucky University$50,220
Kentucky median$45,036
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky and national reference values
Metric & basisNorthern Kentucky UniversityKentucky medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS67.6%79.6%76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$11,088$26,625$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$50,220$45,036$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Northern Kentucky University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Northern Kentucky University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 37 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians$88,492
Management Information Systems and Services$85,697
Computer and Information Sciences, General$82,982
Construction Management$81,833
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$77,404
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$73,478
Accounting and Related Services$69,610
Finance and Financial Management Services$68,409
Business Administration, Management and Operations$67,319
Business/Commerce, General$67,174
Marketing$67,018
Human Resources Management and Services$65,960
Chemistry$65,038
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$61,173
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$60,377
Biology, General$56,999
Criminal Justice and Corrections$55,835
Communication and Media Studies$53,082
Design and Applied Arts$52,703
Political Science and Government$50,668
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$50,322
Information Science/Studies$50,009
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$49,989
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$48,949
History$48,109
Music$47,343
Psychology, General$47,280
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas$45,738
Social Work$44,914
Journalism$44,834
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$44,561
English Language and Literature, General$44,385
Special Education and Teaching$42,964
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods$42,709
Fine and Studio Arts$42,684
International Relations and National Security Studies$41,730
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$35,624

These 37 fields listed for Northern Kentucky University measure earnings after completion. The $50,220 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 26 additional Northern Kentucky University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Northern Kentucky University report?

Northern Kentucky University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 953–1150 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate?

67.6% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 4,098 admitted from 6,058 applicants.

How much does Northern Kentucky University cost?

In-state tuition is $11,088; out-of-state students pay $21,912. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does Northern Kentucky University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $50,220. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Kentucky

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

Find schools by the numbers →