Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky · Public · 8,246 undergraduates · nku.edu
Test policy (fall 2027)
Test blind
Scores aren't considered
Admit rate
83%
of 7,768 applicants
SAT (middle 50%)
953 to 1150
of enrolled freshmen
Annual cost (2027-28)
$31,390Est.Estimate
$35,570 out of state
Your chances and merit aid at Northern Kentucky University
See where you stand for admission, how much merit aid you could get, and what you'd pay after it.
We started you at a typical enrolled freshman here. Move the sliders to match you.
Northern Kentucky University uses a weighted or recalculated GPA, so its own calculation may differ slightly from yours.
Your admission chances
83% of applicants admitted
…
Northern Kentucky University doesn't consider test scores and doesn't publish its freshmen's GPAs, so your chances rest on your courses, grades and the rest of your application.
Estimated merit aid
a year
Your cost after merit aid
$35,570
a year in 2027-28, from a $35,570 sticker price (out of state)
What to do with your 1050
Scores aren't considered here
This college doesn't consider SAT or ACT scores, even if you send them.
Reach, target and likely are a rough guide from your test score and how selective the college is. Admissions also weigh your courses, grades, essays and activities. Merit aid figures are estimates, before any need-based aid.
Admissions
Test policy for fall 2027
Test blind
SAT and ACT scores aren't considered for admission, even if you send them.
- Reviews applications as they arrive, so applying early helps.
Source: Freshman Standards & Requirements: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region · Checked October 17, 2026
Who gets in
83%
of applicants were admitted: 6,453 of 7,768 for fall 2024.
Test scores of enrolled freshmen (fall 2024)
The shaded part shows the middle half of enrolled freshmen who sent scores: a quarter scored below it and a quarter above. 5% of them sent SAT scores and 73% sent ACT scores.
SAT total 953 to 1150
Reading and Writing 473 to 590
Math 480 to 560
ACT composite 18 to 25
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025
High school GPA of enrolled freshmen
Average GPA: 3.35
- 4.06.3%
- 3.75 to 3.9922%
- 3.50 to 3.7418%
- 3.25 to 3.4917%
- 3.00 to 3.2414%
- 2.50 to 2.9916%
- Below 2.507.7%
Cost and financial aid
The sticker price is what a year costs before any aid. Most students pay less after grants and scholarships.
Sticker price for 2027-28Estimate
$31,390
a year, in state
$35,570
a year, out of state (tuition $16,230)
- Tuition (in state)$12,050
What families actually pay
What a year cost on average after grants and scholarships, for freshmen who got federal aid in 2023-24 (in-state students), by family income.
- $0 to $30,000$6,260
- $30,001 to $48,000$6,642
- $48,001 to $75,000$8,734
- $75,001 to $110,000$10,740
- Over $110,000$8,740
Financial aid
74%
of a student's financial need is covered, on average
$10,173
average need-based grant to freshmen, money you don't repay
26%
of freshmen got merit aid without financial need, $5,549 on average
- FAFSA
- Required for need-based aid. It's the free federal aid form.
- CSS Profile
- Not required. Only the FAFSA is needed.
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025
Merit scholarships
Awards for grades and scores, on top of need-based aid. You don't repay them.
Founders
$3,000 a year
Automatic · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.80+ GPA
To keep it: a 2.0 college GPA, stay enrolled every fall and spring semester, stay on track toward your degree under the college's academic progress rules, and pass at least 67% of the credit hours you take; it renews for up to 3 more years, until you finish your first bachelor's degree, or until you reach 180 credit hours, whichever comes first.
DetailsExcellence
$2,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 3.40 to 3.79 GPA, Kentucky residents
- 3.40+ GPA, Ohio and Indiana residents
To keep it: a 2.0 college GPA, stay enrolled every fall and spring semester, stay on track toward your degree under the college's academic progress rules, and pass at least 67% of the credit hours you take; it renews for up to 3 more years, until you finish your first bachelor's degree, or until you reach 180 credit hours, whichever comes first.
DetailsRogers Scholars
$2,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- Completed Rogers Scholars program
Commonwealth
$1,000 a year
Automatic · No separate application
- 3.00 to 3.39 GPA, KY, OH and IN residents, from Indiana or Kentucky or Ohio
To keep it: a 2.0 college GPA, stay enrolled every fall and spring semester, stay on track toward your degree under the college's academic progress rules, and pass at least 67% of the credit hours you take; it renews for up to 3 more years, until you finish your first bachelor's degree, or until you reach 180 credit hours, whichever comes first.
Details
Show 3 more scholarships
KY Governor's (GSP, GSA, and GSE)
$4,500 a year
Competitive · In-state students · No separate application
- 3.00+ GPA, Kentucky Governor's Scholar/School for the Arts/Entrepreneurs participant
To keep it: a 2.0 college GPA, stay enrolled every fall and spring semester, stay on track toward your degree under the college's academic progress rules, and pass at least 67% of the credit hours you take; it renews for up to 3 more years, until you finish your first bachelor's degree, or until you reach 180 credit hours, whichever comes first.
DetailsNorse Ambassadors
$1,000 a year
Competitive · In-state students · Application required
- Boone, Campbell or Kenton County (KY) high school graduate, from Kentucky
Presidential
Full tuition
Competitive · No separate application
- 3.75+ GPA, 1490+ SAT or 34+ ACT, Full tuition + $6,000 housing stipend
To keep it: a 2.0 college GPA, stay on track toward your degree under the college's academic progress rules, pass at least 67% of the credit hours you take, stay enrolled every fall and spring semester, and complete the college's service commitment every year.
Details
Kentucky programs for residents
Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)
State program · In-state students
$36/year bonus (added to base award)
- 2.75+ GPA, 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 15 / SAT 830-870; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 880+ SAT or 16+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 16 / SAT 880-910; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 920+ SAT or 17+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 17 / SAT 920-950; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 960+ SAT or 18+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 18 / SAT 960-980; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 19 / SAT 990-1020; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1030+ SAT or 20+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 20 / SAT 1030-1050; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 21 / SAT 1060-1090; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1100+ SAT or 22+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 22 / SAT 1100-1120; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1130+ SAT or 23+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 23 / SAT 1130-1150; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1160+ SAT or 24+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 24 / SAT 1160-1190; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 25 / SAT 1200-1220; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1230+ SAT or 26+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 26 / SAT 1230-1250; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 27 / SAT 1260-1290; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT, ACT/SAT bonus: ACT 28+ / SAT 1300-1600; 2.75 GPA in any HS year while meeting KEES curriculum requirements; graduate of certified KY high school, from Kentucky
- 2.75+ GPA, Base award (GPA only; no test component); Graduate of certified KY high school; meet KEES curriculum requirements; not a convicted felon, from Kentucky
- 830+ SAT or 15+ ACT, Homeschool / non-certified school / KY GED graduates (test-only award); KY homeschool or non-certified school graduate, or KY GED earned between ages 18 and 23
Compare awards across colleges with the merit aid calculator.
AP credit
AP exams that earn credit can replace college courses, so you pay for fewer of them and may graduate sooner.
AP exams that earn credit
40 of 40
Earn credit with a score of 3
40 exams
A 3-credit course is worth
about $1,210Est.Estimate
at 2027-28 tuition for in-state students
Credit for each AP exam
| Exam | Score needed | Credits | Counts as |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 135 |
| 3-D Art and Design | 3 | 3 | ART 130 |
| African American Studies | 3 | 3 | BLS 100 Introduction to Black Studies |
| Art History | 3 | 6 | ARTH 100 & 101 |
| Biology | 3 | 4 | BIO 120 & BIO 120L |
| Biology | 4 | 4 | BIO 120/120L or BIO 150/150L |
| Calculus AB | 3 | 3 | MAT 128 or 112 |
| Calculus AB | 4 | 4 | MAT 129 |
| Calculus BC | 3 | 4 | MAT 129 |
| Calculus BC | 4 | 9 | MAT 129, 229 |
| Chemistry | 3 | 4 | CHE 120/120L |
| Chemistry | 4 | 8 | CHE 120/CHE 120L AND CHE121/121L |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | CHI 201 |
| Chinese Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | CHI 202 |
| Comparative Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PSC 102 |
| Computer Science A | 3 | 4 | CSC 260/CSC 260L |
| Computer Science Principles | 3 | 3 | INF 100T |
| Drawing | 3 | 3 | ARTD 210 |
| English Language and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 101 |
| English Language and Composition | 4 | 6 | ENG 101 & 102 |
| English Literature and Composition | 3 | 3 | ENG 200 |
| Environmental Science | 3 | 3 | ENV 110 |
| European History | 3 | 6 | HIS 100, 101 |
| French Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | FRE 201 |
| French Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | FRE 202 |
| French Language and Culture | 5 | 3 | FRE 304 |
| German Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | GER 201 |
| German Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | GER 202 |
| German Language and Culture | 5 | 3 | GER 304 |
| Human Geography | 3 | 3 | GEO 100 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | ITA 201 |
| Italian Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | ITA 202 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | JPN 201 |
| Japanese Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | JPN 202 |
| Latin | 3 | 3 | LAT 101 |
| Latin | 4 | 6 | LAT 101 and LAT 102 |
| Macroeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 200 |
| Microeconomics | 3 | 3 | ECO 201 |
| Music Theory | 3 | 4 | MUSM 111 and MUSM 122 |
| Physics 1 | 3 | 5 | PHY 211 |
| Physics 2 | 3 | 5 | PHY 213 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 3 | 5 | PHY 213 |
| Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 | 4 | PHY 222 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 3 | 5 | PHY 211 |
| Physics C: Mechanics | 4 | 4 | PHY 220 |
| Pre-Calculus | 3 | 3 | MAT 119 |
| Psychology | 3 | 3 | PSY 100 |
| Research | 3 | 3 | Elective 200T |
| Seminar | 3 | 3 | Elective 200T |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPI 201 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 3 | SPI 202 |
| Spanish Language and Culture | 5 | 3 | SPI 304 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 3 | 3 | SPI 201 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 4 | 3 | SPI 202 |
| Spanish Literature and Culture | 5 | 3 | SPI 304 |
| Statistics | 3 | 3 | STA 205 or 113 |
| United States Government and Politics | 3 | 3 | PSC 100 |
| United States History | 3 | 6 | HIS 102 & 103 |
| World History: Modern | 3 | 6 | HIS 108 & 109 |
Source: AP credit policy
After college
Graduate within 6 years
54%
Come back for a second year
76%
Typical earnings
$55,024
a year, 10 years after starting here
- Northern Kentucky University$65,126
- All colleges$71,276
Median yearly earnings of graduates five years after finishing a bachelor's in this major. 37 majors here have earnings data.
Keep exploring
Figures marked Estimate are our estimates, not numbers the college published. Check each college's own site before you apply. SAT is a trademark of College Board, and ACT is a trademark of ACT, Inc. Sharp is not affiliated with either, or with Northern Kentucky University. The Northern Kentucky University logo is a trademark of the college.