Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Northern Kentucky University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 46% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 55th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (KY wage index 0.78). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Northern Kentucky University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $67,641 | $88,492 | +9% | #10 of 51 | #3 | $26,000 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $68,628 | $85,697 | +3% | #73 of 166 | #39 | $22,125 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $62,411 | $82,982 | -10% | #248 of 459 | #181 | $22,925 |
| Construction Management | $67,295 | $81,833 | -14% | #51 of 57 | #36 | $17,875 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $68,649 | $77,404 | -13% | #832 of 966 | #502 | $23,050 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $58,970 | $73,478 | +20% | #26 of 156 | #10 | $18,750 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,425 | $69,610 | -9% | #495 of 796 | #304 | $19,465 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,457 | $68,409 | -18% | #361 of 452 | #252 | $21,237 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,564 | $67,319 | -1% | #469 of 1176 | #213 | $19,500 |
| Business/Commerce | $48,654 | $67,174 | -2% | #99 of 271 | #49 | $27,750 |
| Marketing | $45,386 | $67,018 | -3% | #250 of 516 | #116 | $20,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $49,803 | $65,960 | -3% | #110 of 187 | #56 | $25,000 |
| Chemistry | — | $65,038 | +-0% | #120 of 209 | #38 | — |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $52,094 | $61,173 | -14% | #167 of 253 | #144 | $27,250 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $42,725 | $60,377 | +11% | #115 of 610 | #45 | $23,000 |
| Biology | $38,970 | $56,999 | +-0% | #453 of 841 | #200 | $20,852 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,724 | $55,835 | +1% | #297 of 660 | #90 | $22,812 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $38,637 | $53,082 | -6% | #356 of 660 | #155 | $22,431 |
| Design and Applied Arts | — | $52,703 | +2% | #151 of 299 | #90 | — |
| Political Science and Government | — | $50,668 | -20% | #508 of 565 | #379 | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $37,602 | $50,322 | -5% | #293 of 476 | #143 | $22,100 |
| Information Science/Studies | $31,390 | $50,009 | -41% | #147 of 148 | #141 | $25,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $41,842 | $49,989 | -21% | #166 of 178 | #138 | $24,225 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $36,894 | $48,949 | -11% | #211 of 265 | #105 | — |
| History | $29,619 | $48,109 | -5% | #294 of 459 | #122 | $24,484 |
| Music | $34,428 | $47,343 | +10% | #85 of 268 | #40 | $26,803 |
| Psychology | $36,209 | $47,280 | -7% | #686 of 1027 | #297 | $24,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $33,673 | $45,738 | -11% | #297 of 345 | #198 | $27,000 |
| Social Work | $37,037 | $44,914 | -13% | #378 of 420 | #302 | $24,412 |
| Journalism | $29,647 | $44,834 | -20% | #171 of 187 | #135 | $25,417 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | — | $44,561 | -19% | #206 of 225 | #175 | — |
| English Language and Literature | $31,926 | $44,385 | -9% | #421 of 576 | #240 | $21,092 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $40,333 | $42,964 | -15% | #161 of 177 | #139 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,059 | $42,709 | -10% | #582 of 680 | #416 | $23,457 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31,448 | $42,684 | +3% | #183 of 423 | #70 | $24,883 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $21,915 | $41,730 | -37% | #118 of 118 | #111 | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,929 | $35,624 | -10% | #201 of 255 | #118 | $18,057 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
🏆 Where Northern Kentucky University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $10,512 | $21,096 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $25,856 | $36,440 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,813 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,022 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,638 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,227 |
| $110,001+ | $13,270 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Northern Kentucky University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Northern Kentucky University?
How much does it cost to attend Northern Kentucky University?
What is the graduation rate at Northern Kentucky University?
Is Northern Kentucky University a good school?
- Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (B): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (D): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Northern Kentucky University?
Is there rental demand near Northern Kentucky University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Northern Kentucky University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Northern Kentucky University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology