At a glance
Average net price
$8,191
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
52.2%
Admission rate
68%
Undergrad size
8,246
In-state tuition
$11,088
Out-of-state tuition
$21,912
Cost of attendance
$19,725
Median earnings (10y)
$50,220
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,087
- ACT midpoint
- 23
- Retention
- 75.5%
- Locale
- Suburb
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by business (23%), humanities & arts (20%), health (19%).
- STEM18%
- Health19%
- Business23%
- Humanities & arts20%
- Social sciences18%
- Trades & services2%
- Business22.5%~1,857 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Health professions19.1%~1,577 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Computer science7.4%~614 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~563 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Psychology6.5%~534 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication6.5%~534 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Education6.2%~513 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~421 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts4.8%~393 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Social sciences2.8%~233 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~180 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~167 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Engineering tech1.7%~142 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.6%~134 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History1.3%~109 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~79 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Legal0.6%~50 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~42 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics0.4%~33 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~29 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~21 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~21 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master's | 1,324 | $92,665 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 750 | $42,995 | $20,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master's | 630 | $86,069 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 505 | $56,585 | $31,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 256 | $33,770 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 253 | $53,922 | $25,000 |
| Law. | First professional | 221 | $41,900 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Graduate certificate | 215 | — | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 193 | $28,982 | $26,088 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | First professional | 180 | — | — |
| Social Work. | Master's | 155 | $42,253 | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 147 | $30,646 | $28,750 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 147 | $34,573 | $28,906 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 140 | $51,743 | $29,875 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 126 | $31,157 | $23,950 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Bachelor's | 118 | $41,423 | $29,634 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 115 | $36,949 | $25,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 109 | $34,751 | $25,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor's | 105 | $44,619 | $30,103 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 98 | $18,042 | $21,175 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 88 | $26,720 | $25,724 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 87 | $28,555 | $30,375 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor's | 86 | $26,395 | $26,122 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 86 | $41,248 | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | Bachelor's | 71 | — | $21,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master's | 69 | $62,135 | — |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor's | 62 | $64,058 | $25,500 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor's | 62 | $61,266 | $24,053 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 61 | $25,604 | $24,585 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate's | 59 | $31,330 | $22,875 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 49 | $58,842 | — |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor's | 46 | $27,260 | $27,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor's | 42 | $46,914 | $21,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 40 | $34,098 | $24,225 |
| Information Science/Studies. | Master's | 39 | $70,369 | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master's | 39 | — | — |
| Public Administration. | Master's | 35 | $42,444 | — |
| Education, General. | Master's | 34 | — | — |
| Non-Professional Legal Studies. | Master's | 33 | — | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 32 | — | $16,900 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University is a large institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 8,246 undergraduate students in a suburb setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Health professions, Computer science.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Northern Kentucky University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $8,191 per year, which is very affordable compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $11,088 for in-state students and $21,912 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $19,725 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 52.2%, a above-average completion outcome. 75.5% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $50,220 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Northern Kentucky University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Health professions, Computer science. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by business (23% of credentials), humanities & arts (20% of credentials), health (19% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Northern Kentucky University accepts 68% of applicants, making it moderately selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,087. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 23.
Location & campus
Set in Highland Heights, Kentucky (suburb), Northern Kentucky University draws students from across Kentucky and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Northern Kentucky University
Q.How much does Northern Kentucky University cost?
The average net price at Northern Kentucky University is $8,191 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $19,725.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University has a 6-year graduation rate of 52.2% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University admits 68% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do Northern Kentucky University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Northern Kentucky University graduate earns $50,220 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Northern Kentucky University?
Published tuition is $11,088 in-state and $21,912 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Northern Kentucky University located?
Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky (ZIP 41099).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Northern Kentucky University at their official website.