Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 49.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 48.3%
- Retention Rate
- 77.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $50,220
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 54.7%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $244/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Management and Services. | Master | $101,406 | $40,705 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $94,408 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,245 | $40,975 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $81,333 | $29,830 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Bachelor | $67,420 | $26,000 |
| Construction Management. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $17,875 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $61,516 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $59,534 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,071 | $22,925 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics. | Master | $58,673 | |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Bachelor | $56,867 | $22,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $55,301 | $23,050 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $54,653 | $18,750 |
| Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $53,358 |
Outcomes Overview
NKU graduates earn a median of $50,220 ten years after graduation, while carrying typical debt of $23,000. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 46%, well below the recommended 60% threshold. Monthly loan payments of $244 represent just 5.8% of median income, leaving room for other expenses. The university's strong ties to Cincinnati's healthcare and business sectors help explain the solid 96.4% employment rate. Many graduates find work in nursing, education, and regional corporations. With affordable tuition and decent earning potential in a reasonable cost-of-living area, NKU delivers an average return on investment for students seeking practical career preparation.