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Northern Kentucky University
Admission Chances & Acceptance Rate

📍 Highland Heights, KY🏛️ Public university📝 Test-optional

Northern Kentucky University is a public institution in Highland Heights, Kentucky, with about 15,800 students. It has a 68% acceptance rate and admits students across a range of test scores (SAT 953–1150). The school's strongest programs are in Business & Marketing and Health Professions. Notably, the six-year graduation rate is 52%, and graduates earn a median of $50,220 ten years after enrollment.

Acceptance rate
67.7%
Enrollment
15,801
Test policy
optional
Grad rate (6-yr)
52%

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Admitted Student Profile

The middle 50% of admitted students (25th–75th percentile), self-reported by the school.

SAT (combined)
953 – 1150
ACT (composite)
18 – 25
GPA
Not published

$ What You'll Actually Pay

Average yearly net price after grants & scholarships, by family income (federal cohort averages — not a personal quote).

$0–30k
$2,603
family income
$30–48k
$3,630
family income
$48–75k
$6,761
family income
$75–110k
$12,679
family income
$110k+
$14,522
family income
25% receive Pell grants
31% take federal loans

Strongest Programs

The fields Northern Kentucky University graduates the most students in — a signal of depth, faculty, and alumni networks.

Business & Marketing
22.5%
Health Professions
19.1%
Computer Science
7.4%
Biology
6.8%
Communications
6.5%

Outcomes

School-level averages across all students who enrolled (College Scorecard). Not a personal forecast.

Earnings (10 yr)
$50,220
Earnings (6 yr)
$42,105
Completion
52%
Retention
76%
Median debt
$23,000

? Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Northern Kentucky University?

Northern Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 67.7%, making it relatively accessible.

What SAT score do you need for Northern Kentucky University?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 953 and 1150 on the SAT. The ACT range is 18–25.

How much does Northern Kentucky University actually cost?

After grants and scholarships, the average net price for the lowest income band is $2,603 per year, rising to $14,522 for families earning $110k+. These are federal cohort averages, not a personal quote.

What are my chances of getting into Northern Kentucky University?

Your odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to admitted students, plus factors like major, residency, and early decision. UniversityOdds calculates a personalized probability for free — enter your stats to see yours.

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Data sourced from IPEDS, the Common Data Set, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Acceptance probabilities calculated by UniversityOdds are estimates based on published academic data and are not a guarantee of admission. Net price figures are federal cohort averages, not personalized quotes — run the school's official net price calculator for your own estimate.