[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is NKU to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Northern Kentucky University (NKU)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. NKU's acceptance rate is 67.65% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 6,058 students applied and 4,098 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into NKU.
To apply to NKU, it is required to submit high school GPA and record. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered.
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, NKU's acceptance rate is 67.65% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 36.85%. 2,009 men and 3,999 women applied to NKU and 1,379 men and 2,704 women students were accepted.
Among them, 614 men and 895 women were enrolled in NKU. You can explore the NKU's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 74 students (5% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 1,098 students (73% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at NKU.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,040, including 530 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 510 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 590 and the 25th percentile is 473. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 560 and the 25th percentile is 480.
The median ACT composite score is 21, with a 75th percentile score of 25 and a 25th percentile score of 18 at NKU. The median ACT Math score is 20 and the median ACT English score is 21.
How competitive is NKU's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Northern Kentucky University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,056, ACT: 21 - public doctoral / research university).
First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type
For the academic year 2024-25, total 1,510 first-year students enrolled in NKU. The proportion of full-time students is 95.17% and part-time students is 4.83%.
By gender, the proportion of men students is 40.66% and women students is 59.27%.
The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at NKU.
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, and Other Test (Wonderlic,WISC-III,etc) to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at NKU. The english proficiency test is not considered.
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Northern Kentucky University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to NKU:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: https://nku.edu/admissions.html
- Online Application: https://nku.edu/admissions.html
- Calendar System: Semester
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Credits for Life Experiences, Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: 1-Year Certificate, Associate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
NKU Admission Frequently Asked Questions
NKU is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 67.65%.
NKU recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to NKU is 1,040, and the average ACT score is 21. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
NKU does not require or recommend a personal essay or statement for admission. However, they may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
NKU does not require or recommend a recommendation letter for admission. However, it may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
NKU does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, NKU requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
NKU recommends submitting an English proficiency test for international applicants, but it is not strictly required.
The institutional SAT code for NKU is 1574 and 4-digit ACT code is 1566.