NKU Rankings and Evaluation
Kentucky Colleges
#6 in Kentucky Colleges
Federal Region IV
#9 in Federal Region IV
Northern Kentucky University is ranked 6th in Kentucky Colleges and 9th in Federal Region IV.
The following statements evaluate Northern Kentucky University by comparing key academic facts to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
- Its tuition & fees of $21,480 is comparable to similar schools.
- The acceptance rate (96%) is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in).
- The SAT & ACT scores (1,025 SAT, 22 ACT) is around average.
- It has average number of students of 15,801.
- It offers fewer area of study (129 programs).
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
The 2024 undergraduate tuition & fees of NKU are $21,480 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University $21,480
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 2024 graduate tuition & fees of NKU are $16,044 (out-of-state rate) and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University $16,044
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 96% and it is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 96%
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 21% and the yield is lower (admitted, but not enrolled) compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 21%
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 1,025 and it is around average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 1,025
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 22 and it is lower compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 22
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 48% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 48%
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 77% and it is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 77%
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 15,801 and its population average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 15,801
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 $8,481 which is 39.48% 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 $8,481
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 17 to 1 and the ratio is average compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 17 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 129 programs and it means fewer area of study compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University 129
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.