NKU ranked as a top university for “Best Value” by The Wall Street Journal

September 9, 2024 - For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has recognized Northern Kentucky University as one of the top universities in the country for best value and setting graduates up for successfully lucrative careers. According to WSJ’s 2025 report, NKU ranks 29th out of 500 universities around the country when it comes to best value. NKU is the ONLY public university in the region and the Commonwealth that made the WSJ’s top 100 ranking!

The report focuses on how quickly a degree from NKU pays for its cost through the salary earned by the student after graduation. According to the study, it takes graduates one year and one month to pay off the net price of a degree from NKU. That’s one year faster than the time it would take a graduate to pay off a degree from the University of Kentucky, and two years and five months faster than the University of Cincinnati, according to the report. This ranking clearly highlights NKU’s competitive edge in the region and the state.

“What NKU offers is exactly what the American public has been asking for—an affordable, high-quality education that leads to prepared graduates in lucrative careers,” said NKU President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson. “The talented faculty and committed staff at NKU give students more than they pay for, and their successful outcomes are our proof point. I’m proud of what these rankings signify.”

In the last five years, NKU’s graduation rates have increased and time-to-degree has decreased, meaning NKU students are graduating sooner while incurring less of a financial burden. This recognition reinforces NKU’s reputation as a leading choice for students seeking a high-quality, affordable education in the region and the Commonwealth.         

Additionally, WSJ ranked NKU 337th for student experience, 327th for best salaries and 200th for social mobility.