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Northern Kentucky University: tuition, cost and admissions

Highland Heights, KY · Public university · Suburb (large)

8,677Undergraduates

86%Acceptance rate

1,123Average SAT

$6,087Avg net cost / yr

See Northern Kentucky University on the map → Official website

What Northern Kentucky University actually costs

Item	Amount
Tuition & fees (in-state)	$10,592	Published rate before aid
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)	$20,848	Published rate before aid
Room & board (on campus)	$11,248	Annual
Books & supplies	$800	Estimated annual
Total sticker cost	$18,899	Everything, before aid
Average actual cost paid	$6,087	Average paid after grants and scholarships — an average, not a quote

Across all students, the average paid here was $12,812 less than the sticker price — about 68% off, once grants and scholarships are counted. Individual awards vary enormously, and many students receive nothing at all.

Do your own due diligence on cost. Every figure above is a historical federal average for all students at this college. No student pays the average. What you are charged depends on your family’s income and assets, your academic record, the year you apply, and what aid this college has available — and it changes year to year. Use these numbers to decide which colleges are worth investigating, never to decide what one will cost you. Run the college’s own net price calculator — every US college is required by law to publish one — then confirm in writing with its financial aid office before committing to anything. We are not financial, admissions or tax advisers and have no relationship with this college.

Most popular fields of study

Business, Management & Marketing — 24%

Health Professions — 19%

Computer & Information Sciences — 7%

Communication & Journalism — 6%

Education — 6%

Visual & Performing Arts — 6%

Liberal Arts & General Studies — 5%

Biological & Biomedical Sciences — 5%

Share of degrees awarded, US Dept. of Education.

Varsity athletics at Northern Kentucky University

Athletic association	D-I
Men’s varsity sports (7)	Track & Field (98), Baseball (38), Soccer (32), Basketball (16), Swimming & Diving (12), Golf (11), Tennis (7)
Women’s varsity sports (8)	Track & Field (100), Soccer (28), Softball (21), Basketball (16), Volleyball (16), Golf (11), Tennis (6), Swimming & Diving (2)
Softball conference	Horizon
Head softball coach	Morgan Gerak

Squad sizes in brackets, from the federal Equity in Athletics survey (2024–25). Filter by sport and division on the interactive map.

Plan a visit and compare

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Other colleges in Kentucky

University of Kentucky · University of Louisville · Western Kentucky University · Eastern Kentucky University · Bluegrass Community and Technical College · Jefferson Community and Technical College · Murray State University · Morehead State University