All NKU majors by area
- Business & Finance · 11
- Social Sciences & Public Service · 10
- Science & Math · 9
- Humanities & Languages · 7
- Health & Medicine · 6
- Technology & Computing · 5
- Arts & Design · 4
- Education · 4
- Engineering · 4
- Communications & Media · 3
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management Information Systems | $68,628 | $85,697 | $21,000 |
| Construction Management | $67,295 | $81,833 | $24,053 |
| Accounting | $52,425 | $69,610 | $23,750 |
| Finance | $50,457 | $68,409 | $25,287 |
| Business Administration | $44,564 | $67,319 | $20,500 |
| Business | $48,654 | $67,174 | $30,750 |
| Marketing | $45,386 | $67,018 | $22,387 |
| Human Resources | $49,803 | $65,960 | $29,634 |
| Business Economics | — | — | — |
| Economics | — | — | — |
| Entrepreneurship | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | — | $65,038 | — |
| Biology | $38,970 | $56,999 | $23,950 |
| Environmental Science / Conservation | $36,894 | $48,949 | $16,900 |
| Geology / Earth Science | — | — | — |
| Mathematics | — | — | — |
| Neuroscience | — | — | — |
| Physics | — | — | — |
| Physiology | — | — | $21,500 |
| Statistics | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts / General Studies | $37,602 | $50,322 | $28,750 |
| History | $29,619 | $48,109 | $30,375 |
| Spanish / French / Romance Languages | — | $44,561 | — |
| English | $31,926 | $44,385 | $24,585 |
| East Asian Languages (Chinese / Japanese / Korean) | — | — | — |
| German | — | — | — |
| Philosophy | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing | $68,649 | $77,404 | $31,000 |
| Health Sciences | $58,970 | $73,478 | $29,875 |
| Allied Health (Imaging / Therapy / Tech) | $52,094 | $61,173 | $30,103 |
| Kinesiology / Exercise Science | $42,725 | $60,377 | $23,500 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics | — | — | — |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences | $62,411 | $82,982 | $25,000 |
| Information Science / Studies | $31,390 | $50,009 | $27,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other | — | — | — |
| Information Technology | — | — | — |
| Software and Media Applications | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic / Interior / Fashion Design | — | $52,703 | — |
| Music | $34,428 | $47,343 | $27,357 |
| Studio Art | $31,448 | $42,684 | $25,724 |
| Theatre | $19,929 | $35,624 | $21,175 |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education (Subject Teaching) | $33,673 | $45,738 | $29,000 |
| Special Education | $40,333 | $42,964 | $30,750 |
| Education (Elementary / Secondary) | $38,059 | $42,709 | $27,000 |
| Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies / Technicians | $67,641 | $88,492 | $25,500 |
| Electrical / Electronic Engineering Technologies / Technicians | — | — | — |
| Engineering / Engineering-Related Technologies / Technicians, Other | — | — | — |
| Engineering Physics | — | — | — |
| Major | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communications | $38,637 | $53,082 | $25,000 |
| Public Relations and Advertising | $41,842 | $49,989 | $24,225 |
| Journalism | $29,647 | $44,834 | $26,122 |
College Scorecard field of study, latest release: median earnings of graduates who received federal aid, 1 and 4 years after graduating; median federal loan debt. — means too few graduates to report.
From major to career
Human Resources → HR specialist
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 6.4% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Nursing → Registered nurse
Median annual wage for all workers in this job. U.S. jobs projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. Typical entry education: bachelor's degree.
BLS OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35
Across all majors, former NKU students earn a median $50,220 ten years after starting college, more than 73% of Kentucky colleges we cover. 52% graduate within six years.
NKU majors questions
How many majors does NKU offer?
Northern Kentucky University offers 63 bachelor's majors across 10 areas; the most majors are in Business & Finance and Social Sciences & Public Service.
What is the highest-paying major at NKU?
Industrial Production Technologies / Technicians graduates from Northern Kentucky University earn a median $88,492 four years after graduating, the highest of the 37 majors with reported earnings. Their median debt is $25,500.
Which NKU majors earn the least?
Among majors with reported earnings, Theatre graduates earn the least: a median $35,624 four years after graduating.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study); Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, Employment Projections). Back to Northern Kentucky University overview