Northern Kentucky University
Northern Kentucky University sits in the Greater Cincinnati region and enrols international students from 56 countries across roughly 110 degree programmes, including the Salmon P. Chase College of Law and a notable Master of Computer Science track.
Institution size
Large (approx. 16,000 students)
Min. CGPA floor
2.5–2.75 (see Admission Requirements)
Tuition / yr
Approx. $33.6k total cost of attendance per year
Type
Public university
Key Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Highland Heights, Kentucky, United States |
| Type | Public university |
| Institution size | Large (approx. 16,000 students) |
| Rankings | Not typically featured in QS/THE global rankings; recognised regionally across the Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky area. |
| Official website | nku.edu |
Admission Requirements for Low CGPA and Backlog Applicants
- Published minimum graduate CGPA: 2.5, confirmed as the standard floor for the International Merit Scholarship review process
- Programmes vary in their exact department-level requirement; NKU’s ETS institutional code for test scores is 1574
- All foreign transcripts require a NACES-member evaluation; NKU has an expedited pathway through SpanTran
Programmes Offered
- Master of Computer Science
- Chase College of Law (JD)
- Nursing
- Biomedical Sciences
- Management
- Applied Social Sciences
- Engineering Technology
This list covers the primary subject areas available; it is not the full course catalogue. Confirm the complete, current list of programmes directly on the university’s official course finder.
Degree Levels Offered
- Diploma / Certificate: Offered
- Undergraduate (Bachelor’s): Offered
- Postgraduate (Master’s / MSc / MA): Offered
- Doctorate (PhD): Offered
- Post-Doctoral Fellowship: Offered
- Short Courses: Offered
Short courses and certificate options at NKU tend to run through specific colleges like the College of Informatics or the College of Health Professions rather than a central catalogue, so check department pages directly for current offerings.
Tuition and Fees
| Item | Approximate Range |
|---|---|
| Graduate tuition and fees (international) | Approx. $33.6k total cost of attendance per year |
| Living costs (Highland Heights/Cincinnati area) | Moderate for a US metro-adjacent city |
Figures are indicative and reviewed annually by the institution. Confirm current rates directly with the university before budgeting.
Scholarships and Funding
- International Merit Scholarship: up to USD 7,500 per year for graduate applicants with a 3.5 GPA or higher, automatically considered at admission
- Departmental graduate assistantships posted through jobs.nku.edu, generally requiring a 3.0 GPA and involving 10-20 hours per week of departmental work
- Ted and Mary Weiss International Student Endowed Scholarship for continuing students with a leadership record
What Makes This University Different
NKU automatically considers every full-time, degree-seeking international graduate applicant for a merit scholarship at the point of admission, no separate application required. Students meeting a 3.5 GPA threshold qualify for up to USD 7,500 per year, and NKU publishes this as an automatic, application-linked process rather than a competitive add-on.
Application Process
- Create your NKU application account and complete the online Graduate Instructions application; note that Chase Law applicants follow a separate process
- Get your foreign transcripts evaluated by a NACES-member service; NKU offers an expedited path through SpanTran if you want faster turnaround
- Send your English test scores directly to NKU using ETS institutional code 1574
- Pay the application fee at submission, or return later to pay if you’re not ready immediately
- Email a copy of your passport photo page to [email protected] as part of your file
- Once admitted, you’re automatically screened for the International Merit Scholarship; no separate scholarship form needed
Admission Outlook
NKU’s automatic merit consideration removes one of the more tedious steps in the US application process, and its Chase College of Law and Master of Computer Science give it real name recognition in specific fields beyond its general accessibility.
Campus Life
Highland Heights sits directly across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, giving students access to a genuine mid-size US metro job market without Cincinnati’s own cost of living.
NKU sits directly across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, and the university leans into that location deliberately, with career services and co-op placements that draw on the wider Cincinnati business community rather than treating the university as isolated from it.
Other Essential Information
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test score code | ETS institutional code 1574 for TOEFL/GRE score reporting |
| Transcript evaluation | Any NACES member accepted; NKU’s expedited partner is SpanTran |
| Mailing address | University Center 305, 100 Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41076 |
| Post-study work | OPT, 12 months standard, extendable to 36 months for STEM-classified degrees including the Master of Computer Science |
Official Resources
- University homepage: nku.edu
Compare Northern Kentucky University against other accessible universities on our Find a Course page, or contact us for help confirming eligibility.
Sources and Verification
- NKU International Scholarships (International Admissions, Scholarships & Finances)
- NKU Graduate Instructions for International Students
- NKU Assistantships + Scholarships
Reviewed by the Studyinfo editorial team.
Last verified: July 2026.
Admission requirements, tuition, and scholarship figures change periodically; always confirm current details directly with the university before applying.