Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Northern Kentucky University is a public national university located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. Northern Kentucky University is very inclusive in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Northern Kentucky University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $44,814 10 years after enrolling, 9th in Kentucky, and in the bottom 50% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Northern Kentucky University bachelor students earn 2% more than the national average. Northern Kentucky University is ranked 2nd in Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky University’s median net annual cost of $9,183 and average years to graduate of 4.9 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Northern Kentucky University sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Registered Nursing, Computer science, Education, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Psychology - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$9,183
Average years to graduate
4.9
Biology
Rank: #14
Economic score: 1.97
HR Management
Rank: #11
Economic score: 1.98
Diagnostic, Intervention & Treatment
Rank: #56
Economic score: 2.51
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #41
Economic score: 2.63
Criminal Justice
Rank: #46
Economic score: 2.83
Social Work
Rank: #35
Economic score: 3.58
Journalism
Rank: #49
Economic score: 4.7
Drama
Rank: #69
Economic score: 12.9
Fine & Studio Arts
Rank: #183
Economic score: 13.61
English Language & Lit
Rank: #425
Economic score: 33.5
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Northern Kentucky University - Registered Nursing, Business and Commerce, Social Work, Education, Public Administration, HR Management - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Educ. Administration
Rank: #266
Economic score: 0.62
Clinical / Counseling Psych
Rank: #55
Economic score: 0.64
Computer Systems Analysis
Rank: #29
Economic score: 0.71
Accounting
Rank: #284
Economic score: 0.8
Student Counseling
Rank: #171
Economic score: 0.97
History
Rank: #30
Economic score: 1.07
Mental & Social Health Services
Rank: #105
Economic score: 1.33
Education
Rank: #164
Economic score: 1.44
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.9 years. 50% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at Northern Kentucky University is 1% lower than the state average, and 17% below the average for all national universities in the country.
At Northern Kentucky University, Pell Grant recipients represent 26% of the measured graduating class, 9% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Northern Kentucky University graduates within 4.9 years.
Northern Kentucky University is in the bottom 10% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Northern Kentucky University’s economic mobility score of 23.26 is calculated by adjusting the 1.18 economic score of lower-income students by the 26% pell grant recipients within the student body. Northern Kentucky University’s EMS of 23.26 ranks in the top 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at Northern Kentucky University pays $9,183 a year, $14,459 less than the $23,642 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $9,183
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Northern Kentucky University, 99% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $9,183 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 43% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $5,689. This is 11% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,988
Pell grants
$5,289
State grants
$2,483
Institutional grants
$7,312
Northern Kentucky University offers 14 online bachelor programs, 4 of which are held exclusively online. At the master’s level Northern Kentucky University offers 10 programs, 2 of which are held exclusively online. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
24
Hybrid programs
18
Percentage of programs online
25%
Northern Kentucky University's very inclusive admissions are indicated by their 80% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 6,637 applicants, of which 5,329 were admitted and 1,690 enrolled. Northern Kentucky University has a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed as they arrive until all spaces are filled.
Full time
87%
83%
Female
59%
59%
First time
65%
59%
In-state
66%
68%
1st generation
38%
35%
White
80%
52%
Black
7%
14%
Hispanic
4%
15%
Asian
2%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
7%
12%