Highland Heights, KY · Private University
Is Northern Kentucky University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$50,220
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,896
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,480
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$85,920
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.34x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.6 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
48.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$23,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$7,168
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Northern Kentucky University graduates earn $5,220 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Northern Kentucky University ranked by graduate earnings
37 graduates
31 graduates
152 graduates
25 graduates
69 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Northern Kentucky University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Northern Kentucky University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Construction Management: $83,736) and the lowest (International Relations and National Security Studies: $21,915) is $61,821/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Construction ManagementBest ROI | $83,736 | 3.9x |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $77,721 | 3.6x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $75,313 | 3.5x |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $73,620 | 3.4x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $65,376 | 3.0x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $62,699 | 2.9x |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $62,248 | 2.9x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $61,901 | 2.9x |
| Business/Commerce, General | $61,090 | 2.8x |
| Marketing | $55,123 | 2.6x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $54,581 | 2.5x |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $53,031 | 2.5x |
| Information Science/Studies | $52,984 | 2.5x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $47,213 | 2.2x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $45,968 | 2.1x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $45,499 | 2.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $45,457 | 2.1x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $45,457 | 2.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $44,868 | 2.1x |
| Biology, General | $43,852 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $43,453 | 2.0x |
| History | $40,575 | 1.9x |
| Special Education and Teaching(1yr data) | $40,333 | 1.9x |
| Journalism | $40,037 | 1.9x |
| Social Work | $39,098 | 1.8x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,876 | 1.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $36,894 | 1.7x |
| Psychology, General | $35,440 | 1.6x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $34,108 | 1.6x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,715 | 1.5x |
| Music | $32,345 | 1.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $24,505 | 1.1x |
| International Relations and National Security StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $21,915 | 1.0x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
Northern Kentucky University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $50,220 10 years after starting, $5,220 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.6 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.