*Submitted with all required documents
**I-20 request form and all required valid documents submitted
*Submitted with all required documents
**I-20 request form and all required valid documents submitted
TOEFL (iBT): Composite score of at least 79, with a minimum of 14 in reading
TOEFL (PBT): Composite score of at least 550, with a minimum of 48 in reading
IELTS: Composite score of at least 6.5, with a minimum of a 5.5 in Reading and 5 in Writing
Duolingo English Test: Minimum score: 115
SAT: Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 480 or higher; or 25 or higher on Writing and Language Test; and 26 or higher on Reading Test
ACT English: 18, Reading: 20
Pearson PTE: Composite score of at least 55
TOEFL (iBT): Composite score of at least 61
TOEFL (PBT): Composite score of at least 500
IELTS: Composite score of at least 5.5, with a minimum of 5 in Reading and Writing
Duolingo English Test: Minimum score: 100
SAT: Variable
ACT English: Variable
Pearson PTE: Composite score of at least 44, with a minimum of 42 in Reading
Students who do not meet this standard may be considered for conditional admission to a degree program, but will first need to attend the American English Language Program at NKU until this requirement has been met.
The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) requires students to meet readiness standards to enter Kentucky public colleges and universities. If you standardized test scores fall below CPE college readiness standards, you will be required to take a College Placement Test to determine proper placement in English, math, and/or reading classes priori to course registration.
CPE Placement Standards
ACT: English 18, Math 19, Reading 20
SAT: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 480, Math 500
If your scores fall below the above mentioned, you must take a College Placement Test(s) in each of the areas in which you did not meet the requirement. You will NOT be able to register for classes until your College Placement Test(s) have been taken. The College Placement Test is only available to admitted students. You may choose to re-take the SAT or ACT test to raise your subject scores.
Admission to NKU does not guarantee acceptance to all academic programs. The following academic programs have requirements above those listed for regular admission:
Additionally, music requires an audition. If you are interested in studying music, please email SOTA@nku.edu for more information.