# Northern Kentucky University

> Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate is 67.7% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, 6,637 applicants). It is a public university in Highland Heights, KY, with 8,246 students. The average net price after grants is $8,976 a year. The six-year graduation rate is 54.4%, and median earnings ten years after entry are $55,024.

Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Federal source years are listed with each table.

- Profile: https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-kentucky-university-1928
- Location: Highland Heights, KY, United States
- Setting: Large suburb
- Control: Public
- Classification: Doctoral/professional university
- Official website: https://www.nku.edu/
- IPEDS Unit ID: 157447
- Last verified by CollegesRef: 2026-11-03

## Admissions

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Applicants | 6,637 |
| Admitted | 5,329 |
| Acceptance rate | 67.7% |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (25th–75th percentile) | 473–590 |
| SAT Math (25th–75th percentile) | 480–560 |
| ACT Composite (25th–75th percentile) | 18–25 |

## Cost

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| In-state tuition | $11,496 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $22,752 |
| Average net price (per year, after grants) | $8,976 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 31.2% |

## Outcomes

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Graduation rate (within six years) | 54.4% |
| First-year retention rate | 75.5% |
| Median earnings (10 years after entry) | $55,024 |

## Enrollment

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Total students | 8,246 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Northern Kentucky University acceptance rate for 2026?

Northern Kentucky University admitted 67.7% of 6,637 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

### How much is Northern Kentucky University tuition?

In-state tuition at Northern Kentucky University is $11,496 and out-of-state tuition is $22,752 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $8,976 a year.

### What is the average net price at Northern Kentucky University?

The average net price at Northern Kentucky University, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $8,976 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.

### What is the graduation rate at Northern Kentucky University?

54.4% of first-time, full-time students at Northern Kentucky University graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

### What colleges are similar to Northern Kentucky University?

The closest matches are Murray State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Morehead State University, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.

## Related pages

- [Northern Kentucky University Tuition 2026](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-kentucky-university-1928/financial)
- [Northern Kentucky University Rankings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-kentucky-university-1928/rankings)
- [Northern Kentucky University Earnings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-kentucky-university-1928/outcomes)
- [Colleges similar to Northern Kentucky University](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/northern-kentucky-university-1928)
- [Compare Northern Kentucky University with other colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/compare?slugs=northern-kentucky-university-1928)
- [College Scorecard entry](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?157447)
- [College Navigator entry](https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157447)

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Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-kentucky-university-1928. Figures are federal reports (IPEDS and the U.S. College Scorecard); cite the data year shown with each table. Blank measures were not reported and are left out rather than estimated.