How much does Northern Kentucky University tuition cost?
The 2025 tuition & fees of Northern Kentucky University is $11,088 for in-state and $21,912 for out-of-state students. Its tuition & fees is lower than the average tuition for Doctoral / Research University (not R1, R2)' tuition of $30,771 based on out-of-state tuition rate.
Based on the last year increase rate, The 2026 estimated tuition & fees at NKU is $11,283 for Kentucky residents and $22,353 for out-of-state students, a 2.0% increase compared to 2025's rate.
NKU 2025 Tuition & Fees
| Year | In-State | Out-of-State | Doctoral / Research University (not R1, R2)' Average |
|---|
| 2023-2024 | $10,896 |
$21,480 | $30,055 |
| 2024-2025 | $11,088 | $21,912 | $30,771 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 1.76% | 2.01% | 2.38% |
| 2025-2026 Estimate | $11,283 | $22,353 | $31,504 |
How much do you actually pay at NKU?
The living costs at NKU is $15,212 when living on campus. The on-campus living costs increased by 7.43% compared to the previous year. The off-campus living costs increased by 5.57%.
The NKU's 2025 COA is $27,100 for in-state and $37,924 for out-of-state students for living on campus. The off-campus COA is $31,820 for in-state and $42,644 for out-of-state students.
86% of enrolled students have received grants or scholarships, and the average aid amount is $8,760. It could cover 39.98% of the full tuition amount.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $18,340 for in-state and $29,164 for out-of-state students..
Northern Kentucky University 2025 Cost of Attendance (COA) | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|
| In-State | Out-State | In-State | Out-State |
|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $11,088 | $21,912 | $11,088 | $21,912 |
|---|
| Room & Board | $12,712 | $12,712 |
|---|
| Personal Expenses | $2,500 | $7,220 |
|---|
| Books & Supplies | $800 | $800 |
|---|
| COA | $27,100 | $37,924 | $31,820 | $42,644 |
|---|
| COA with Financial Aid | $18,340 | $29,164 | $23,060 | $33,884 |
|---|
NKU 4-Years Tuition
How Much is NKU tuition for 4 years?
NKU's 4-years tuition is $44,834 for in-state and $88,733 for out-of-state students, based on current tuition and change rate.
Since the tuition & fees at Northern Kentucky University have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy.
NKU 4 Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
| Residency | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total |
|---|
| Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025) | In-State | $11,136 | $11,184 | $11,233 | $11,281 | $44,834 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,020 | $22,129 | $22,238 | $22,347 | $88,733 |
| Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026) | In-State | $11,184 | $11,233 | $11,281 | $11,330 | $45,028 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,129 | $22,238 | $22,347 | $22,457 | $89,171 |
| Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027) | In-State | $11,233 | $11,281 | $11,330 | $11,379 | $45,223 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,238 | $22,347 | $22,457 | $22,568 | $89,610 |
| Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028) | In-State | $11,281 | $11,330 | $11,379 | $11,428 | $45,419 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,347 | $22,457 | $22,568 | $22,679 | $90,052 |
| Class of 2033 (Entering Fall 2029) | In-State | $11,330 | $11,379 | $11,428 | $11,478 | $45,615 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $22,457 | $22,568 | $22,679 | $22,791 | $90,496 |
Net Price for 4 Years at NKU
Based on recent tuition increase rate, for the students who were admitted in Fall 2025, the estimated 4-years COA is $111,558 for Kentucky residents and $155,457 for out-of-state students.
NKU 4 Years COA
| Residency | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total |
|---|
| Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025) | In-State | $27,411 | $27,727 | $28,047 | $28,373 | $111,558 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $38,295 | $38,671 | $39,052 | $39,439 | $155,457 |
| Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026) | In-State | $27,727 | $28,047 | $28,373 | $28,703 | $112,850 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $38,671 | $39,052 | $39,439 | $39,831 | $156,993 |
| Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027) | In-State | $28,047 | $28,373 | $28,703 | $29,039 | $114,162 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $39,052 | $39,439 | $39,831 | $40,228 | $158,550 |
| Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028) | In-State | $28,373 | $28,703 | $29,039 | $29,380 | $115,495 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $39,439 | $39,831 | $40,228 | $40,631 | $160,128 |
| Class of 2033 (Entering Fall 2029) | In-State | $28,703 | $29,039 | $29,380 | $29,726 | $116,848 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $39,831 | $40,228 | $40,631 | $41,039 | $161,728 |
Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $76,518 for Kentucky residents and $120,417 for out-of-state students.
NKU 4 Years COA after Receiving Financial Aid
| Residency | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total |
|---|
| Class of 2029 (Entering Fall 2025) | In-State | $18,651 | $18,967 | $19,287 | $19,613 | $76,518 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $29,535 | $29,911 | $30,292 | $30,679 | $120,417 |
| Class of 2030 (Entering Fall 2026) | In-State | $18,967 | $19,287 | $19,613 | $19,943 | $77,810 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $29,911 | $30,292 | $30,679 | $31,071 | $121,953 |
| Class of 2031 (Entering Fall 2027) | In-State | $19,287 | $19,613 | $19,943 | $20,279 | $79,122 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $30,292 | $30,679 | $31,071 | $31,468 | $123,510 |
| Class of 2032 (Entering Fall 2028) | In-State | $19,613 | $19,943 | $20,279 | $20,620 | $80,455 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $30,679 | $31,071 | $31,468 | $31,871 | $125,088 |
| Class of 2033 (Entering Fall 2029) | In-State | $19,943 | $20,279 | $20,620 | $20,966 | $81,808 |
|---|
| Out-of-State | $31,071 | $31,468 | $31,871 | $32,279 | $126,688 |
NKU's Graduate Tuition
The graduate school tuition at Northern Kentucky University is $10,788 for in-state and $16,350 for out-of-state students. Detailed graduate program tuition and majors can be found at NKU graduate program page.
Northern Kentucky University has a law school and its tuition is different from other graduate programs, usually higher. The law school tuition is $25,736 for in-state and $40,088 for out-of-state students. See the detailed law school tuition at Salmon P. Chase College of Law page.
NKU Graduate Tuition & Fees
| Year | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| 2023-2024 | $10,590 |
$16,044 |
| 2024-2025 | $10,788 | $16,350 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 1.87% | 1.91% |
|---|
| 2025-2026 | $10,990 | $16,662 |
Tuition Per Credit Hour
For part-time and/or full-time students who take additional credits at NKU is $446 for Kentucky residents and $897 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $578 for Kentucky residents and $887 for out-of-state students.
Per Credit Hour Charge at NKU
| Year | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | 2023-2024 | $438 | $879 |
|---|
| 2024-2025 | $446 | $897 |
|---|
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $454 | $915 |
|---|
| Graduate | 2023-2024 | $567 | $870 |
|---|
| 2024-2025 | $578 | $887 |
|---|
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $589 | $904 |
|---|
NKU Tuition Charts
The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at NKU. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.
Compare Tuition with Similar Colleges
The following table compares tuition & fees between Northern Kentucky University and its similar schools.
Tuition Comparison between NKU and Similar Colleges
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Northern Kentucky University | $11,088 | $21,912 |
|---|
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | $8,700 | $17,288 |
|---|
| Cleveland State University | $12,982 | $18,502 |
|---|
| Wright State University-Main Campus | $10,991 | $20,691 |
|---|
| University of Illinois Chicago | $15,949 | $32,009 |
|---|
| Youngstown State University | $9,926 | $10,286 |
|---|
NKU Tuition Frequently Asked Questions
For the academic year 2024-2025, the undergraduate tuition & fees at NKU are $11,088 for Kentucky residents and $21,912 for out-of-state students.
The total cost of attendance (COA) at NKU for the academic year 2024-2025 includes tuition & fees, books & supplies, and living expenses. For in-state students, the estimated COA is $27,100 and $37,924 for out-of-state students. Actual costs may vary depending on housing choices and personal expenses.
It has been risen by 1.76% for Kentucky residents and increased by 2.01% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year. The graduate tuition has been risen by 1.87% for Kentucky residents and increased by 1.91% for out-of-state rates compared to the previous year.
86% of NKU undergraduates receive grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $8,760 per student. Additional financial aid options are available through NKU's financial aid office.
In-State (Kentucky Residents): The projected 4-year cost for a degree is approximately $111,558, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, and other expenses. The tuition and fees alone are approximately $11,281 per year, which would total around $44,834 over four years. Out-of-State: The projected 4-year cost for a degree is approximately $155,457. The tuition and fees are around $22,347 per year, totaling about $88,733 over four years.
NKU charges $446 per credit hour for in-state undergraduates and $897 for out-of-state undergraduates. Graduate students pay $578 (in-state) or $887 (out-of-state) per credit hour.
The in-state undergraduate tuition at NKU is a little bit higher than the average for similar schools ($10,456 - public Doctoral / Research University).The out-of-state undergraduate tuition at NKU is a little bit higher than the average for similar schools ($19,644 - public Doctoral / Research University).The in-state graduate tuition at NKU is about the same as the average for similar schools ($10,983 - public Doctoral / Research University).The out-of-state graduate tuition at NKU is a little bit lower than the average for similar schools ($18,377 - public Doctoral / Research University).