Paying for NKU
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
$21,912 ($11,088)
Graduate Tuition & Fees
$16,350 ($10,788)
On-campus Living Costs
$15,212
Off-campus Living Costs
$19,932
Undergraduate Tuition per Credit Hour
$897 ($446)
Graduate Tuition per Credit Hour
$887 ($578)
The 2025 tuition & fees of Northern Kentucky University are $11,088 for Kentucky residents and $21,912 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, the tuition & fees are $10,788 for Kentucky residents and $16,350 for out-of-state students.
Compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky, both undergraduate and graduate tuition & fees are average.
The average living cost of the school is $15,212 when a student lives in on-campus housing. When a student lives off-campus, the average living cost is $19,932.
*Data Source: 2024-2025 Tuition & Fees - NCES (Last Update: 6/05/2025)
2025 Tuition and Comparison Chart
The following chart visualizes the NKU's 2025 tuition & fees and compares to similar schools by school type, level, and location.
2025 Tuition & fees
The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees at Northern Kentucky University are $11,088 for Kentucky residents and $21,912 for out-of-state students. The undergraduate tuition & fees have increased by 2.01% from last year.
The 2025 graduate tuition & fees are $10,788 for Kentucky residents and $16,350 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition & fees have increased by 1.91% from last year.
The following table and chart show the 2025 tuition & fees and the tuition trends over the last 5 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Graduate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Residents | Out-of-State | Kentucky Residents | Out-of-State | |
| 2021 | $10,296 | $20,256 | $11,418 | $17,358 |
| 2022 | $10,392 | $20,448 | $10,284 | $15,594 |
| 2023 | $10,592 | $20,848 | $10,284 | $15,594 |
| 2024 | $10,896 | $21,480 | $10,590 | $16,044 |
| 2025 | $11,088 | $21,912 | $10,788 | $16,350 |
Living Costs
The 2025 average on-campus living costs is $15,212 including room & board and other living expenses (a student lives in on-campus housing such as dormitory and school-owned apartment). For students living in off-campus housing, the average living cost is $19,932.
The living cost at the school has increased by 7.43% from last year.
The following table and chart show the living costs changes over the last 5 years.
| Year | On-Campus | Off-Campus | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room & Board | Other Expenses | Room & Board | Other Expenses | |
| 2021 | $10,046 | $2,500 | $10,046 | $5,364 |
| 2022 | $11,454 | $2,500 | $11,454 | $5,364 |
| 2023 | $11,248 | $2,500 | $11,248 | $7,220 |
| 2024 | $11,660 | $2,500 | $11,660 | $7,220 |
| 2025 | $12,712 | $2,500 | $12,712 | $7,220 |
Books & Supplies Costs Trends Chart
The 2025 average cost for purchasing books & supplies is $800 at Northern Kentucky University. The books & supplies cost stays same as last year.
The following table and chart show the 2025 books & supplies costs and the trends over the last 5 years.
| Year | Books & Supplies Costs |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $800 |
| 2022 | $800 |
| 2023 | $800 |
| 2024 | $800 |
| 2025 | $800 |
Tuition Per Credit Hour
The 2025 undergraduate tuition per credit hour at Northern Kentucky University is $446 for Kentucky residents and $897 for out-of-state students. The undergraduate tuition per credit hour has increased by 2.05% from last year.
The 2025 graduate tuition per credit hour is $578 for Kentucky residents and $887 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour has increased by 1.95% from last year.
The following table and chart show the 2025 tuition per credit hour and its trends over the last 5 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Graduate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Residents | Out-of-State | Kentucky Residents | Out-of-State | |
| 2021 | $413 | $828 | $613 | $943 |
| 2022 | $417 | $836 | $550 | $845 |
| 2023 | $425 | $853 | $550 | $845 |
| 2024 | $438 | $879 | $567 | $870 |
| 2025 | $446 | $897 | $578 | $887 |