Highland Heights, KY · Public

Northern Kentucky University Cost, Tuition and Student Budget 2026

Northern Kentucky University cost profile summarizes tuition, total annual cost, average net price, student debt, median earnings, graduation outcomes, and value signals for 2026 budget-focused university comparison.

Budget Snapshot Moderate value signal Value Score:
Total Cost$19,725
Net Price$8,191
Median Earnings$50,220
Graduation Rate52.2%
Median Debt$15,159
Admission Rate67.7%
Student Count8,246
SAT Average1,087

Northern Kentucky University Student Budget Calculator 2026

Estimate how much money you may still need per year using this university's reported cost data plus your grants, family support, savings, work income, and student loans.

Estimated annual cost $8,191
Money available $0
Still needed per year $8,191
Monthly gap $683

Four-year projection: about $32,764 still needed over four years if the same gap repeats.

Loan projection: borrowing $0 per year equals about $0 over four years, compared with reported median debt of $15,159.

This calculator is an estimate. Actual aid, housing, residency status, program fees, family income, and borrowing limits can change the final budget.

University Cost and Earnings View

Money Profile

Median earnings$50,220Total cost$19,725Net price$8,191Median debt$15,159

Value Score Comparison

Northern Kentucky Unive...58.6Dataset avg54.3KY avg52.4
Median earnings10% weaker than dataset average
$50,220
Total annual cost54% better than dataset average
$19,725
Average net price62% better than dataset average
$8,191
Graduation rate4.6 percentage points weaker than dataset average
52.2%
Median debt7% better than dataset average
$15,159

How This University Cost Compares

Dataset Average

Value Score: 54.3

Net Price: $21,437

Earnings: $55,928

KY Average

Value Score: 52.4

Net Price: $16,468

Earnings: $46,861

Best Use of This Page

Compare this university against schools with similar location, type, net price, total cost, debt, and earnings. A high value score is useful, but graduation rate and debt should be read together with it.

Student Fit Signals

  • Affordability: Net price is $8,191, compared with reported total cost of $19,725.
  • Outcomes: Median earnings are $50,220 and the graduation rate is 52.2%.
  • Debt pressure: Median debt is $15,159, while the loan share is 31%.
  • Access profile: Admission rate is 67.7% and Pell Grant share is 25.2%.
Full University Cost Data Snapshot
School TypePublic
LocationHighland Heights, KY
Admission Rate67.7%
In-State Tuition$11,088
Out-of-State Tuition$21,912
Total Cost$19,725
Net Price$8,191
Median Earnings$50,220
Graduation Rate52.2%
Median Debt$15,159
Pell Grant Share25.2%
Loan Share31%
Average Faculty Salary$8,693
Official WebsiteVisit website

Value Score Methodology

Value Score = earnings 20.1 + graduation 13.1 + net price 12.3 + total cost 7.5 + debt 5.7 = 58.6/100. Uses median earnings, graduation rate, net price, total cost, and median debt.

Earnings20.1$50,220 · max 40 pts
Graduation13.152.2% · max 25 pts
Net Price12.3$8,191 · max 15 pts
Total Cost7.5$19,725 · max 10 pts
Debt5.7$15,159 · max 10 pts

The score is a comparison signal on a 0-100 scale. It is not a guarantee of future salary, admission outcome, financial aid, or final student cost.