NKU Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

Northern Kentucky University is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Northern Kentucky University (NKU) is 80.29%. This means that 80 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

Although the acceptance rate is high, remember that to secure admission to any institution of higher learning, you must convince the admission staff that you are mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you do not perform well in one area, you can showcase your strengths in other areas, as NKU is not very strict in its admission, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

To enhance your chances of admission, perform well in academics and other activities. If your GPA is not excellent, compensate by scoring high on the SAT, ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can improve your chances of admission.

Northern Kentucky University Admission Requirements

NKU GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at NKU is 3.2. It means that NKU is selective in terms of GPA of the students. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).

With an average GPA of 3.2, NKU requires you to be above average in your class. You need to score more A's than B's in your classes to have good chances of admission. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus and physics will help you.

If your GPA is less than 3.2 and higher than 2.9 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need to have a minimum of 2.8 GPA, to secure admission at NKU. Below this, chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into NKU Without SAT Or ACT?: Northern Kentucky University considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process, but does not require them. Although, it is not strictly a requirement, but the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test for 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Northern Kentucky University Average SAT Score: 1146
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Northern Kentucky University is a 1146 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1146 on SAT
If your score is lower than 983, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admissions at NKU. It is not strange to appear multiple times for SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 983
SAT 75th Percentile: 1210

It means that if you have scored less than 983 then you are below the most of the admitted students at NKU and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1210 or more, then your chances of admissions are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer score than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150

Can I get into Northern Kentucky University (NKU) with a 1200 SAT?.

With 1200 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) are good but the admission staff at NKU tests your all round personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will definitely increase your chances of admissions. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, then your chances of admissions are high.

Northern Kentucky University (NKU) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at is 23. This score makes Northern Kentucky University slightly competetive for ACT scores. You need to well to score 23 on ACT
ACT 25th Percentile: 20
ACT 75th Percentile: 26

Can I get into Northern Kentucky University with a 26 ACT?

With 26 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Northern Kentucky University are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. College Admission process tests your all round personality and your academics. your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores and IP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you could not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Northern Kentucky University. More importantly, comparing your scores with 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you better understanding of where you stand. If your score in SAT is near to the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send SAT score. If your ACT score is near to the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in same range, then it is better to send ACT Score, as in case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here it is how: When sending ACT Score, you can yourself decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View list of all colleges with Average ACT score of 23.

NKU Profile

Name: Northern Kentucky University (NKU)

City: Highland Heights

URL: www.nku.edu/

State: Kentucky

Type: Public

Zip: 41099

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)

How much a degree from NKU Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Northern Kentucky University is USD: 17112. As most of the students receive Pell grants and Federal Grant the average annual net price a student has to pay at Northern Kentucky University is USD: 6575

How can I get a scholarship?

25.58% of the students are receiving Pell grants and 37.96 percent are receiving federal grants. So it is a better choice to go to NKU and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Northern Kentucky University, you will have no problem in receiving any scholarship form federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist NKU as your choice in the form.

How much a NKU Graduate makes?

The average annual salary of the NKU graduate after 4-6 year of graduation is USD 46832. An average NKU graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 36834

Degree Programs

Bachelor Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by Northern Kentucky University.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.