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Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University says yes to 67.7% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $50,220 median earnings.
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Northern Kentucky University occupies suburban Highland Heights, KY — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, where graduates median $88,492 four years out. 25.2% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. Most of its 8,246 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 75.5% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
Submitters admitted here typically landed between 916 and 1133 — below the KY middle for four-year schools. Put your own practice estimate on Northern Kentucky University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Northern Kentucky University received 6,417 applications and admitted 6,162 (96%), with 1,295 enrolling.
You can apply to Northern Kentucky University without scores. Among admitted students who did submit, the middle half landed between 916 and 1133; applicants below that range often simply apply without them.
| Score | 25th | 50th | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading & Writing | 458 | 515 | 573 |
| SAT Math | 458 | 510 | 560 |
| ACT Composite | 19 | 22 | 25 |
Percentiles are among students who submitted scores (Fall 2023 admissions cycle).
How Northern Kentucky University compares
| Northern Kentucky University | Kentucky median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 67.7% | 79.6% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $11,088 | $26,625 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $50,220 | $45,036 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Northern Kentucky University: $50,220 median at year ten, versus $45,036 across Kentucky institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $11,088 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $21,912. For non-residents, Northern Kentucky University's $21,912 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 8,246 undergrads, Northern Kentucky University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
52.2% graduate within six years. Roughly 48% don't — ask a Northern Kentucky University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Northern Kentucky University
| Bachelor's program | 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 |
Median earnings for these 37 Northern Kentucky University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $50,220 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 26 additional Northern Kentucky University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Northern Kentucky University?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% scored 916–1133 on the SAT. There's no published GPA cutoff — pair these ranges with the 67.7% admission rate to judge your odds.
What is Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate?
96% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 6,162 admitted from 6,417 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 do Northern Kentucky University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $50,220 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Kentucky
- Morehead State University — 77.2% admitted
- University of Louisville — 79.4% admitted
- Kentucky Christian University — 60.9% admitted
- Kentucky Wesleyan College — 71.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.