Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky
Northern Kentucky University is a public institution in Highland Heights, Kentucky with 8,065 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $10,896 compared with a Kentucky nursing-school average of $15,942. The school reports a graduation rate of 48.3%, median earnings of $50,220, and median federal debt of $23,000.
$10,896 is lower than the state average of $15,942.
48.3% is lower than the state average of 48.5%.
$50,220 is higher than the state average of $39,372.
About Northern Kentucky University
| Location | Highland Heights, Kentucky |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.nku.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $10,896 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $21,480 |
| Total Enrollment | 8,065 |
| Acceptance Rate | 96.0% |
| Graduation Rate | 48.3% |
| Retention Rate | 77.8% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $50,220 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $243 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 23.5% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 30.9% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.5 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
23.5% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 30.9% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Northern Kentucky University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $43,584, while the reported median debt is $23,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $243. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (76.1%), followed by Black students (7.4%) and Hispanic students (4.8%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($50,220) divided by median debt ($23,000)