PublicSuburban

Northern Kentucky University

NKU

Highland Heights, Kentucky 41099

Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

SuburbanGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

Northern Kentucky University is a public institution in Highland Heights with particular strength in business and health sciences. With an average SAT of 1114, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A mid-sized campus of 8.1K undergraduates with a 18:1 student-faculty ratio. The suburban location offers a balance of campus life and nearby amenities.

48% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $50,220 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $7,168.

Established

1968

Mascot

Victor E. Viking

Type

Public university

Division

Division I

Plan Your Visit

96%Acceptance

1114SAT Avg

8,065Students

18:1Student:Faculty

48%Grad Rate

$50,220Earnings 10yr

$7,168Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate96.0%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1114

Reading & WritingMid: 535

458573

MathMid: 562

458560

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 23

1925

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$10,896

Tuition (out-of-state)$21,480

Room & Board$11,660

Books & Supplies$800

Total Cost of Attendance$19,471

Average Net Price$7,168

Median Debt at Graduation$23,000

Monthly Payment (10yr)$244

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$1,813

$30–48K$3,022

$48–75K$6,638

$75–110K$11,227

$110K+$13,270

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

69.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

2.3%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$15,159

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Burglary

Aggravated Assault

Robbery

Motor Vehicle Theft

Sex Offenses

Arson

Drug Arrests

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (120)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

78%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads

8,065

Gender Split

59% / 41%

Women / Men

First Generation

38%

Pell Grant Recipients

24%

Race & Ethnicity

White 76%

Black 7%

Hispanic 5%

Asian 2%

Two+ 3%

Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate48.3%

Freshman Retention77.8%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$42,105

10 Years$50,220

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News

#382

—

vs 2024

Washington Monthly

#338

—

vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

BasketballTrackVolleyballSoccer clubWrestlingLacrosse club

History & Fun Facts

•The main campus moved from Covington to Highland Heights, Kentucky, in 1972.
•NKSC awarded its first bachelor's degrees in 1973.
•Rapid expansion resulted in the school being upgraded to university status in 1976.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

91Average

Estimated from KY state average + suburban adjustment

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Columbuspop. 900K

101 mi(175 min)

Indianapolispop. 880K

104 mi(180 min)

Clevelandpop. 370K

225 mi(390 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

CVG Cincinnati11 mi

CMH Columbus107 mi

IND Indianapolis109 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA738 mi · ~21h 19m drive

New York, NY566 mi · ~16h 21m drive

Hartford, CT648 mi · ~18h 43m drive

Providence, RI712 mi · ~20h 34m drive

Albany, NY613 mi · ~17h 43m drive

Syracuse, NY514 mi · ~14h 51m drive

Rochester, NY457 mi · ~13h 12m drive

Buffalo, NY395 mi · ~11h 25m drive

Philadelphia, PA500 mi · ~14h 27m drive

Pittsburgh, PA257 mi · ~7h 25m drive

Harrisburg, PA412 mi · ~11h 54m drive

Newark, NJ558 mi · ~16h 7m drive

Washington, DC399 mi · ~11h 32m drive

Baltimore, MD421 mi · ~12h 10m drive

Atlanta, GA365 mi · ~10h 33m drive

Charlotte, NC330 mi · ~9h 32m drive

Raleigh, NC391 mi · ~11h 18m drive

Miami, FL950 mi · ~27h 27m drive

Orlando, FL746 mi · ~21h 33m drive

Tampa, FL774 mi · ~22h 22m drive

Nashville, TN235 mi · ~6h 47m drive

New Orleans, LA704 mi · ~20h 20m drive

Richmond, VA395 mi · ~11h 25m drive

Chicago, IL258 mi · ~7h 27m drive

Detroit, MI240 mi · ~6h 56m drive

Minneapolis, MN610 mi · ~17h 37m drive

St. Louis, MO310 mi · ~8h 57m drive

Kansas City, MO542 mi · ~15h 39m drive

Indianapolis, IN104 mi · ~3h drive

Columbus, OH101 mi · ~2h 55m drive

Cleveland, OH225 mi · ~6h 30m drive

Milwaukee, WI330 mi · ~9h 32m drive

Dallas, TX813 mi · ~23h 29m drive

Houston, TX891 mi · ~25h 44m drive

Austin, TX966 mi · ~27h 54m drive

San Antonio, TX1038 mi · ~29h 59m drive

Los Angeles, CA1895 mi · ~54h 45m drive

San Francisco, CA2042 mi · ~58h 59m drive

San Diego, CA1871 mi · ~54h 3m drive

Seattle, WA1972 mi · ~56h 58m drive

Portland, OR1985 mi · ~57h 21m drive

Denver, CO1095 mi · ~31h 38m drive

Phoenix, AZ1580 mi · ~45h 39m drive

Salt Lake City, UT1453 mi · ~41h 59m drive

Honolulu, HI4434 mi · ~128h 6m drive

Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby hotels

$100-180/night

< 5 mi

Deadline Calendar

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