Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Northern Kentucky University at a Glance
Northern Kentucky University is a public university in Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States. Established in 1968, it is the youngest of Kentucky's eight public universities. The university has seven constituent colleges in arts and science, business, education, informatics, health, and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law.
1968
58 years old
$151M
$150.9 million (2025)
15,370
10,327 undergrad · 5,043 grad
1,006
425 acres
Identity
How to Apply to Northern Kentucky University
Official admissions page$40
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is Northern Kentucky University Worth It?
Northern Kentucky University delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $8,191/year, it's priced 60% below average, while graduates go on to earn $50,220 — near the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 50% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: Northern Kentucky University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How Northern Kentucky University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #20 of 118 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #3 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #4 | CUNY Brooklyn College | 100 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| #5 | CUNY Queens College | 100 | $4,195 | $62,763 |
| #6 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #20 | Northern Kentucky University | 77 | $8,191 | $50,220 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Northern Kentucky University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in KY.
Best Programs at Northern Kentucky University
The highest-earning program at Northern Kentucky University is Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at $64,300/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduate from Northern Kentucky University earns $64,300, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates carry $30,042 in median debt vs. $21,764 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $8,191/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $64,300 | $64,300 | $30,042 |
| Construction Management | $58,900 | $58,900 | N/A |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $55,400 | $55,400 | $23,375 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $55,000 | $55,000 | $18,455 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $54,600 | $54,600 | $25,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $53,800 | $53,800 | $30,400 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $49,000 | $49,000 | $25,125 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,700 | $41,700 | $21,989 |
| Business/Commerce, General | $41,200 | $41,200 | $27,000 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $40,900 | $40,900 | $26,180 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $40,500 | $40,500 | $24,839 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $38,900 | $38,900 | $25,500 |
| Marketing | $36,900 | $36,900 | $21,609 |
| Information Science/Studies | $35,500 | $35,500 | $21,920 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,700 | $34,700 | $25,074 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $34,700 | $34,700 | $24,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,100 | $33,100 | $25,125 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $33,100 | $33,100 | $27,500 |
| Social Work | $32,000 | $32,000 | $24,354 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $31,400 | $31,400 | $26,000 |
| Biology, General | $30,900 | $30,900 | $23,967 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $30,800 | $30,800 | $29,859 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $28,500 | $28,500 | $24,986 |
| Psychology, General | $28,500 | $28,500 | $25,500 |
| History | $27,900 | $27,900 | $28,965 |
| Journalism | $27,700 | $27,700 | $25,250 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $24,900 | $24,900 | $29,000 |
| Music | $22,400 | $22,400 | N/A |
| English Language and Literature, General | $21,900 | $21,900 | $23,754 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,500 | $20,500 | $21,764 |
Similar Colleges in KY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Highland Heights, KY
- Student Body
- 8,246 students
- Admission Rate
- 68%
- Graduation Rate
- 50%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,191
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,220
- Median Student Debt
- $23,000