NKU Admission Requirements

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Highland Heights, KY
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#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

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NKU Admission Overview

NKU admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year NKU admitted 67.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (B+) and SAT 953-1150 / ACT 18-25. NKU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NKU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NKU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

67.6%

Admission Standards

Very Easy

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The NKU acceptance rate is 67.6%. Last year, 4,098 of 6,058 applicants were admitted. That is the 8th lowest acceptance rate in Kentucky.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into NKU and can you get accepted?

NKU is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Northern Kentucky University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.42. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 37% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NKU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.42

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.42

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at NKU typically have around a 3.42 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. NKU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #14 in Kentucky for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.4 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Northern Kentucky University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	7.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	24.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	22.7%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	14.9%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	12.9%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	14.4%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	3.6%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.5%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

NKU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

953-1150

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 473
Math 480
Composite 953

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 590
Math 560
Composite 1150

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at NKU typically score around a 1050 SAT (middle 50% 953–1150) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 49th percentile nationally. NKU ranks #15 in the state of Kentucky for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 953 to 1150

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

NKU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1050 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Northern Kentucky University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1150+	Above 75th	>80%
1050 to 1150	Avg +	68%-80%
953 to 1050	Avg -	53%-68%
Below 953	Below mid-50	<53%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

NKU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

18-25

Freshmen reporting ACT

73%

25th Percentile Scores

English 17
Math 17
Composite 18

75th Percentile Scores

English 25
Math 24
Composite 25

Average ACT

Incoming testers at NKU typically have around a 21 ACT (mid-50 18–25) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 57th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. NKU places #16 among colleges in Kentucky for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 18 to 25

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to NKU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 21.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Northern Kentucky University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
25+	Above 75th	>82%
21 to 25	Avg +	68%-82%
18 to 21	Avg -	55%-68%
Below 18	Below mid-50	<55%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the NKU chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

Northern Kentucky University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,999	2,009	6,058
Accepted	2,704	1,379	4,098
Acceptance Rate	68%	69%	68%
Enrolled	895	614	1,510
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	33%	45%	37%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Northern Kentucky University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Northern Kentucky University application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

349

Applicants have 349 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Northern Kentucky University is $40.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Northern Kentucky University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

NKU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 67.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.42 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (953-1150); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025