Northern Kentucky University Acceptance Rate
Highland Heights, Kentucky · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 6,417
- Admitted
- 6,162
- Yield
- 21%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate has risen from 90.7% in 2014–15 to 96% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 6,293 to 6,417 (+2%) over that period.
Its 96% rate makes Northern Kentucky University more selective than about 7% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 24 tracked Kentucky schools, it is more selective than about 17%.
Northern Kentucky University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 21% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 6,293 | 5,709 | 90.7% | 2,193 |
| 2015–16 | 7,397 | 6,797 | 91.9% | 2,266 |
| 2016–17 | 6,059 | 5,519 | 91.1% | 2,148 |
| 2017–18 | 5,852 | 5,289 | 90.4% | 2,145 |
| 2018–19 | 5,995 | 5,351 | 89.3% | 1,980 |
| 2019–20 | 6,080 | 5,483 | 90.2% | 1,950 |
| 2020–21 | 6,686 | 5,819 | 87% | 1,836 |
| 2021–22 | 6,637 | 5,329 | 80.3% | 1,690 |
| 2022–23 | 6,905 | 5,939 | 86% | 1,638 |
| 2023–24 | 6,417 | 6,162 | 96% | 1,295 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 4,090 | 3,935 | 96.2% |
| Men | 2,327 | 2,227 | 95.7% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 458–573 | 5% |
| SAT Math | 458–560 | |
| ACT Composite | 19–25 | 79% |
How Northern Kentucky University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate?
Northern Kentucky University's acceptance rate is 96% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (6,162 admitted of 6,417 applicants).
Is Northern Kentucky University test optional?
Northern Kentucky University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Northern Kentucky University?
Northern Kentucky University received 6,417 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 6,162.
What SAT score do you need for Northern Kentucky University?
Admitted students at Northern Kentucky University typically scored 458–573 on SAT Reading/Writing and 458–560 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Northern Kentucky University getting harder to get into?
Northern Kentucky University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 90.7% in 2014–15 to 96% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.nku.edu/.