About Northern Kentucky University

Founded in 1968, Northern Kentucky University. is a Public college. Located in Kentucky, which is a city setting in Kentucky, the campus itself is Suburban. The campus is home to 12,380 full time undergraduate students, and 2,162 full time graduate students.

The Northern Kentucky University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 19:1. There are 567 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Northern Kentucky University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate91%
Application Deadline
Application Fee40
SAT Range880-1160
ACT Range20-26

Admissions at NKU are considered Less Selective, with ,113% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 35 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

63% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 30% were in the top quarter, and 11% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Northern Kentucky University.

3%
“We”re apathetic”
19%
“We know about current events and vote”
64%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
18%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
19%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
79%
“I feel extremely safe”
2%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
55%
“We bought the gear”
44%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
49%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
41%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
55%
“They keep regular office hours”
42%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
12%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
82%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
5%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
6%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
48%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
40%
“We only party on weekends”
7%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
19%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
69%
“There might be people who do”
9%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
3%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
3%
“We”re apathetic”
19%
“We know about current events and vote”
64%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
14%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
19%
“Sometimes, but not often”
59%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
18%
“All the time, including weekends”
0%
“I”m always terrified”
2%
“I only go out in groups”
19%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
79%
“I feel extremely safe”
2%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
55%
“We bought the gear”
44%
“We live for the big game”
2%
“It”s not really our thing”
8%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
49%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
41%
“We”re a very artistic group”
1%
“Haven”t met them”
2%
“Available in class”
55%
“They keep regular office hours”
42%
“They”re always available”
0%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
12%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
82%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
5%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
6%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
48%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
40%
“We only party on weekends”
7%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
19%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
69%
“There might be people who do”
9%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
3%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship

  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    207 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    196 Students rated off-campus housing 3.4 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    292 Students rated campus food 3.6 stars. 23 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    304 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 48 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    306 Students rated class size 4.5 stars. 61 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    303 Students rated school activities 4 stars. 37 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    307 Students rated local services 4.3 stars. 51 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    306 Students rated academics 4.2 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.

Northern Kentucky University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Northern Kentucky University?

107 Students rated Northern Kentucky University

Megan - 11/25/2024

Overall, Northern Kentucky university is your average, cheap, local college. A lot of students choose NKU because tuition is cheap and typically close to home. Most students live at home and commute to NKU. I am currently a high school senior who takes duel-credit classes through NKU on campus. Based on my experience there, I choose to continue my studies at the University of Louisville. I choose NKU to get college credit for a cheaper price that can easily transfer to another college.

Saryn - 09/24/2024

My opinion of Northern Kentucky University is great! As someone who is involved in at her local high school's FBLA, every regional spring meeting is held there and the campus is great. Great food, people advisers and more. Not only that but our school holds art competitions there as well and being able to walk around the campus and look at different thigs provide for a great "mini-tour" if you want to look around and see campus life. All in all NKU is by far one of my favorite colleges I have visited and I cannot wait to visit again!

Jaylea - 01/21/2023

Campus seems to be a safe environment. They seem to include all aspects of life. We will have the opportunity to be involved in both campus life as well as the community. Looking forward to moving to NKU with friends and start this next chapter of my life called college.

John - 01/14/2023

I think NKU is criminally underrated. It doesn't have a major night life or sports atmosphere, but the education and environment are very much above average and it's a very safe & clean university. The technology is up to date, the facilities such as the recreation center are top notch, and there is a sufficient amount of extracurriculars. I think the law & communications programs are particularly strong, whereas the business programs are rather weaker. But overall NKU has a very good batch of educated, friendly, and knowledgeable professors who are more than willing to go out of their way to help students learn. The campus is also extremely friendly to the LGBTQ+ community and has a very supportive environment for folks who identify with the community. To summarize, NKU may not be the college for you if you're trying to have the "college experience", but it's a very good school for making friends, actually interacting with and getting to know your professors, as well as gaining a good education.

Northern Kentucky University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Northern Kentucky University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Northern Kentucky University is 91%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I have received a better understanding of the world and it has enlightened me in all aspects of life. Prior to college, different subjects seemed isolated from one another, almost as if different colors did not transition from one another on the spectrum. These different subjects that I once thought were wildly different began to bleed together in a way that I believed few could see. Unlike many aspects in life, college is there for one to grow intellectually. My mind was thirsty for knowledge after being bored throughout highschool and I was able to quench that thirst. The college experience has taught me responsibility, independence, and most importantly, motivation. I have never been so motivated to learn more than what I have felt during college and I cannot imagine my life without such drive. Most people decided to stop growing and to settle, I have chosen to expand at a substantial rate.

    Read all 380 answers

  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    The worst thing baout my school is the food. It doesn't taste as good as i had hoped it would.

    Read all 80 answers

  4. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I would have known that there is not a huge selection of foreign language courses to choose from each semester.

    Read all 71 answers

  5. Describe the students at your school.

    There is always a few goof balls in every class but most are very nice and fun to be around.

    Read all 69 answers

  6. What's unique about your campus?

    N/A

    Read all 66 answers

  7. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Interesting, but a good school.

    Read all 64 answers

  8. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A person who loves to have a conncection with his/her professors and a study study study type of person. As well as a person who loves to get involed.

    Read all 61 answers

  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    The only people who shouldn't attend my school are the lazy, and those who don't really care about continuing their learning. I struggled with what I wanted to be, and the direction I wanted my life to go in after high school. It took me a long time but I've always cared about high learning. I would really like to support any other tranfer students, maybe feeling out of place as they enter my school, to realize that is is a caring enviroment with a lot to offer.

    Read all 60 answers

  10. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Our school is best known for our outstanding Theatre program that presents us with the best experience for those who are interested in the arts and breath taking plays put on by students here at Northern Kentucky University.

    Read all 56 answers

  11. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The school and classes are very personalable. The professors are usually eager to help and most people love being here!

    Read all 52 answers

  12. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    To be honest, I love going to NKU. There are some things that bother me when I attend, but they have nothing to do with the school. I struggle mainly to afford going to school and traveling to school, as both are very costly. I hope that I will be financially stable in the next couple of years so that I can live on campus and focus on school primarily. This will help me not only to continue getting better grades, but to move on to graduate school and eventually receive my Doctorate.

    Read all 52 answers

  13. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    In comparison to the other school I considered, Northern Kentucky University is not only much more affordable, it is also more welcoming of its students and their differences. From the moment I step on to my campus in the morning until the moment I leave I am surrounded by a faculty and staff that genuinely wants to see their students succeed in all that they do. The faculty encourages the students to be themselves and to be proud of their differences.

    Read all 46 answers

  14. What are some hot-button issues on campus?

    I go to a small campus, not just that but we have many philanthropies and many beliefs . We all come together to help the next with their belief. I find that so amazing. Sex violence, breast cancer, peer pressure , everything its absolutely amazing.

    Read all 1 answers

  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    My favorite class is a toss up between chem 115 and stats 205. i love engaging in the material and learning more each day. Class participation is very common for me and most of the other students. My major keeps me on track, i have set a goal and i try and reach further for it everyday.

    Read all 1 answers

  16. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    I enjoy attending this school very much. My teachers are wonderful and make sure all opportunities are presented to me.

    Read all 1 answers

  17. What's the hardest thing about freshman year?

    Finding where you belong. There is for sure a club for you but you have to put the effort into finding it.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

57%

female

43%

male

12,380

Total Undergrad Enrollment

2,162

Total Grad Students

27%

Out-Of-State

70%

In-State

3%

International

Organizations

183

Student Organizations

7

Fraternities

8

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

12%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
1%
% Black or African-American
7%
% Hispanic/Latino
3%
% White or Caucasian
83%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

96% of students attending Northern Kentucky University receive some sort of financial aid. 38% were awarded federal grants. While 57% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$18,384

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$800

Books and Supplies

$9,526

Room and Board

28,710

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$3,464
$30 - $48K
$6,310
$48 - $75K
$9,930
$75 - $110K
$12,670
$110K & UP
$13,157

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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