What is Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate?

Northern Kentucky University admitted 6,251 of 6,467 first-year applicants for 2025-26, an acceptance rate of 96.7%, according to its Common Data Set.

Does Northern Kentucky University have early decision?

No. Northern Kentucky University does not offer early decision, per its 2025-26 Common Data Set.

What SAT score do you need for Northern Kentucky University?

The middle 50% of Northern Kentucky University's enrolled first-years scored 810–1090 on the SAT and 19–25 on the ACT.

What is Northern Kentucky University's graduation rate?

55.2% of students graduate within six years.

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Northern Kentucky University Common Data Set 2025-26

KYTest policy: Required for some: SAT/ACT required only for under-21 applicants with HS GPA below 2.75 (others may use other exams); scores also used for advising and placement (SAT, ACT, AP, institutional exam)Compare with other schools AP credit policy

Acceptance rate

96.7%

6,251 of 6,467

Early decision rate

No ED

SAT middle 50%

810–1090

ACT middle 50%

19–25

Admissions

AppliedC1	6,467
AdmittedC1	6,251
EnrolledC1	1,537
YieldC1	24.6%
Early decisionC21	Not offered
Early actionC22	Not offered

Waitlist

Offered a placeC2	—
Accepted a placeC2	—
Admitted from waitlistC2	—
Odds if you stay on the listC2	—

Test scores and GPA

Submitted SATC9	2.9%
Submitted ACTC9	39.9%
SAT Reading & Writing (25th–75th)C9	500–605
SAT Math (25th–75th)C9	440–560
Average high school GPAC12	3.34
GPA of 4.0C11	5.8%
GPA 3.75–3.99C11	21.4%
GPA 3.50–3.74C11	18.6%
GPA below 3.50C11	54.2%

Cost and financial aid

TuitionG1	—
Required feesG1	—
Food and housingG1	—
Need fully met (first-years)H2	17%
Average % of need metH2	64%
Average need-based packageH2	$15,019
Average need-based grantH2	$10,690

What admissions looks at

Rigor of secondary school recordNot considered
Class rankNot considered
Academic GPAVery important
Standardized test scoresConsidered
Application essayNot considered
Recommendation(s)Not considered
InterviewNot considered
Extracurricular activitiesNot considered
Talent/abilityNot considered
Character/personal qualitiesNot considered
First generationNot considered
Alumni/ae relationNot considered
Geographical residenceNot considered
State residencyNot considered
Religious affiliation/commitmentNot considered
Volunteer workNot considered
Work experienceNot considered
Level of applicant's interestNot considered

From item C7.

Outcomes

UndergraduatesB1	10,136
First-year retentionB22	77%
4-year graduation rateB	—
6-year graduation rateB	55.2%

Notes on this filing

Year label: filing is the 2025-2026 CDS; fall-term data refers to Fall 2025 and C8A/C13 refer to Fall 2027 cycle.
C1: totals computed by summing men + women + unknown (no printed total for applied/admitted/enrolled); enrolled 1537 matches residency table.
C2: waitlist policy checked 'No'; waitlist count cells are blank, so offered/accepted/admitted left null.
C21 and C22: early decision and early action both marked 'No'; applicant and admit counts left null.
C8A/C8F: 'Required for some' checked; C8F clarifies scores required only for under-21 applicants with HS GPA below 2.75. Consistent.
C9: SAT and ACT percent submitting are printed as 2.90 and 39.90; the ACT subscore rows are blank.
C11: pct_below_3_50 computed as sum of bands 3.25-3.49 through below 1.0 (15.80+14.60+15.50+8.10+0.00+0.20 = 54.20).
B4-B11: 4-year graduation rate not printed in the filing (line D only given as a count of 672), so grad_rate_4yr left null; 6-year rate 55.23 is from the Fall 2019 cohort, line H.
B22: retention rate 77 is printed directly.
G1: cost-of-attendance table has no printed values; all cost fields null.
H2: aid figures are first-time, first-year column. pct_need_fully_met = line h (118) / line d (696) = 17.0 per the instructed rule; note that line d is labeled 'awarded any financial aid' in the form, not strictly need-based.
H2 line i (64.00) is the average percent of need met; line j (15019) is the average total financial aid package and is used for avg_need_based_package, which is a label approximation.
H2: no printed percent of aided students with need, so pct_with_need_awarded_aid left null.
H2 line k (10690) is the average need-based scholarship/grant award.

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Northern Kentucky University admissions FAQ

What is Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate?: Northern Kentucky University admitted 6,251 of 6,467 first-year applicants for 2025-26, an acceptance rate of 96.7%, according to its Common Data Set.
Does Northern Kentucky University have early decision?: No. Northern Kentucky University does not offer early decision, per its 2025-26 Common Data Set.
What SAT score do you need for Northern Kentucky University?: The middle 50% of Northern Kentucky University's enrolled first-years scored 810–1090 on the SAT and 19–25 on the ACT.
What is Northern Kentucky University's graduation rate?: 55.2% of students graduate within six years.

Source: Northern Kentucky University Common Data Set 2025-26 . “—” means the college left the item blank.