NKU's tuition & fees has increased from $17,856 (2015) to $21,912 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 22.72% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $15,180 (year 2015) to $16,350 (year 2025).
NKU's tuition increase rate is higher than the Kentucky's average increase rate of 7.62%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 27.76% from 2015 ($29,684).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, NKU's COA is $37,924, which is increased by 4.07% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to NKU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 22.72% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $21,528. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Northern Kentucky University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $800, and it has not changed since 2015.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $800 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $800 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $800 | |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 35.00% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 22.30% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Northern Kentucky University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $11,028 | $14,442 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $12,026 | $14,878 | 9.05% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $12,232 | $15,096 | 1.71% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $12,412 | $15,276 | 1.47% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $12,546 | $15,410 | 1.08% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $12,546 | $15,410 | |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $13,954 | $16,818 | 11.22% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $13,748 | $18,468 | -1.48% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $14,160 | $18,880 | 3.00% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $15,212 | $19,932 | 7.43% |
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Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Northern Kentucky University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Northern Kentucky University | $21,912
($11,088) | $21,480
($10,896) | 2.01% |
|---|
|
| University of Wisconsin-Green Bay | $17,288
($8,700) | $16,929
($8,342) | 2.12% |
|---|
|
| Wright State University-Main Campus | $20,691
($10,991) | $20,032
($10,614) | 3.29% |
|---|
|
| University of Detroit Mercy | $32,946
($41,158) | $32,300
($41,158) | 2.00% |
|---|
|
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | $22,398
($10,398) | $22,020
($10,020) | 1.72% |
|---|
|
| Indiana University-Indianapolis | $34,891
($10,762) | $33,717
($10,449) | 3.48% |
|---|
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