Chances of getting into Northern Kentucky University
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Average | |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
Will you get accepted?
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How hard is it to get into NKU and can I get accepted? The school has a 90% acceptance rate ranking it #23 in Kentucky for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 5,483 out of 6,080 applicants were admitted making Northern Kentucky University an easy school to get into with a very good chance of acceptance assuming you meet the requirements. Academically, it has average requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 53 percent. Northern Kentucky University typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students. Only 36% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top half of their high school class.
Test Requirements
You must submit admission test scores with your application. Northern Kentucky University is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
NKU SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 510 |
| SAT Math 25th | 510 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1020 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 600 |
| SAT Math 75th | 640 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1240 |
| Average SAT Score | 1130 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University typically prefers applicants to be in the top 57 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1020 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 910. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1130 out of 1600. The school ranks #10 in Kentucky for highest average SAT composite score. 6 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1240 and Above | Good | >94% |
| 1130 to 1240 | Avg + | 90%-94% |
| 1020 to 1130 | Avg - | 84%-90% |
| 910 to 1020 | Reach | 76%-84% |
| Less than 910 | Low | <76% |
NKU ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 20 |
| ACT Math 25th | 19 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 20 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 27 |
| ACT Math 75th | 26 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 26 |
| Average ACT Score | 23 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into NKU?
Admission data indicates that NKU regularly accepts students with ACT's of 20 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 49 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 17 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 23 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 26 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #13 in Kentucky for highest average ACT composite score. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 96 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Northern Kentucky University.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 26 and Above | Good | >94% |
| 23 to 26 | Avg + | 90%-94% |
| 20 to 23 | Avg - | 84%-90% |
| 17 to 20 | Reach | 76%-84% |
| Less than 17 | Low | <76% |
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NKU GPA
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
What GPA do you need to get into Northern Kentucky University?
Applicants need about average high school grades to get into NKU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Northern Kentucky University was 3.24 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #16 in Kentucky for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.24 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as NKU accepts 90% of all applicants.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 22% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 16% | Good |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 15% | Avg + |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 15% | Avg - |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | 21% | Avg - |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | 10% | Reach |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | 2% | Reach |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Wintergreen Orchard House
Similar Requirements
High School Class Rank
64% of Northern Kentucky University freshman were in the top half of their high school graduating class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 11% |
| Top 25% of class | 32% |
| Top 50% of class | 64% |
| Bottom 50% of class | 36% |
| Bottom 25% of class | 12% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 3,798 | 2,282 | 6,080 |
| Accepted | 3,398 | 2,085 | 5,483 |
| Acceptance Rate | 89% | 91% | 90% |
| Enrolled | 1,116 | 834 | 1,950 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 33% | 40% | 36% |
Fall 2021 Application Deadline
Applications are Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 228 days left until the Fall 2021 term applications are due on Jul 15, 2022.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Northern Kentucky University is $40.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Northern Kentucky University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Neither required nor recommended |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | Yes |
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=157447 IPEDS survey data for Northern Kentucky University.
FAQs
Does Northern Kentucky University prefer SAT or ACT?
6% of students submit their SAT scores to NKU. 96% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Northern Kentucky University?
90% of those who apply are granted admission to NKU. Admission competition is and the college has average admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Northern Kentucky University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1020 and 1240. 6% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Northern Kentucky University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 20 and 26. 96% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.