More selective than 72% of Kentucky colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
5% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 79% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose NKU over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
NKU SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, NKU is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 473 | 590 |
| SAT math | 480 | 560 |
| ACT composite | 18 | 25 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 953 | 1150 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
NKU admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 68% | 473–590 | 480–560 | 18–25 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 96% | 458–573 | 458–560 | 19–25 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is NKU compared with other Kentucky colleges?
NKU has the 8th-lowest acceptance rate of 26 Kentucky colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary | 56% | 40% | — |
| 5 | Kentucky Christian University | 61% | 37% | $24,038 |
| 6 | Union Commonwealth University | 63% | 32% | $21,311 |
| 7 | Asbury University | 63% | 65% | $21,401 |
| 8 | Northern Kentucky University | 68% | 52% | $8,191 |
| 9 | Kentucky Wesleyan College | 72% | 47% | $17,131 |
| 10 | Alice Lloyd College | 75% | 39% | $18,600 |
| 11 | Morehead State University | 77% | 52% | $9,793 |
| 12 | Eastern Kentucky University | 78% | 50% | $11,040 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Kentucky colleges →
Who enrolls at NKU
College Scorecard; IPEDS
NKU admissions questions
What is the NKU acceptance rate?
Northern Kentucky University accepts 68% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 6,162 of 6,417 applicants were admitted.
Does NKU require the SAT or ACT?
Northern Kentucky University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 5% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 79% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for NKU?
The middle 50% of Northern Kentucky University enrolled first-year students scored 953–1150 on the SAT and 18–25 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at NKU?
21% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (1,295 of 6,162).
Is NKU getting harder to get into?
Northern Kentucky University accepted 68% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 96% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Northern Kentucky University overview