Undergraduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of NKU are $21,912 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University $21,912

All U.S. Colleges $17,692

Public, 4-Years Colleges $18,895

4-Years Colleges $22,926

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky $21,993

Graduate Tuition & Fees

The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of NKU are $16,350 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University $16,350

All U.S. Colleges $18,842

Public, 4-Years Colleges $20,343

4-Years Colleges $18,848

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky $18,366

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate of NKU is 68% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 68%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 72%

4-Years Colleges 68%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 86%

Yield (Enrollment Rate)

The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of NKU is 37% and the yield is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 37%

All U.S. Colleges 37%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 32%

4-Years Colleges 35%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 28%

SAT Scores

The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at NKU is 1,040 and it is around average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 1,040

All U.S. Colleges 1,123

Public, 4-Years Colleges 1,112

4-Years Colleges 1,124

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 1,112

ACT Scores

The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at NKU is 21 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 21

All U.S. Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges 67

4-Years Colleges 68

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 70

Graduation Rate

The average graduation rate at NKU is 52% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 52%

All U.S. Colleges 56%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 48%

4-Years Colleges 51%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 49%

Retention Rate

The average retention rate at NKU is 76% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 76%

All U.S. Colleges 69%

Public, 4-Years Colleges 74%

4-Years Colleges 73%

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 73%

Student Population

The total student population at NKU is 15,347 and its population average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 15,347

All U.S. Colleges 2,931

Public, 4-Years Colleges 11,396

4-Years Colleges 4,686

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 15,259

Financial Aid Amount

The average amount of financial aid received at NKU is $8,760 which is 39.98% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University $8,760

All U.S. Colleges $7,676

Public, 4-Years Colleges $7,301

4-Years Colleges $12,161

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky $8,754

Student to Faculty Ratio

The students to faculty ratio at NKU is 19 to 1 and the ratio is higher (more students per class/faculty) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 19 to 1

All U.S. Colleges 15 to 1

Public, 4-Years Colleges 17 to 1

4-Years Colleges 14 to 1

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 16 to 1

Number of Programs

NKU offers 131 programs and it means fewer area of study compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 131

All U.S. Colleges 37

Public, 4-Years Colleges 108

4-Years Colleges 58

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 172

Number of Online Programs

NKU offers 10 online programs and it means limited online classes compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.

Northern Kentucky University 10

All U.S. Colleges 13

Public, 4-Years Colleges 17

4-Years Colleges 15

Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky 28