Study Shows NKU Ranks First In Kentucky for Return on Investment

March 25, 2022 - Northern Kentucky University ranks first in the Commonwealth of Kentucky for return on educational investment, according to a study by SmartAsset. 

SmartAsset compared the Commonwealth’s colleges and universities based on a variety of data points, including starting salary, tuition, living expenses, student retention rate and scholarships awarded. The scores of the five categories formed a College Value Index Score.

This is the first time NKU has reached the top of the rankings. In 2021, NKU ranked second after coming in fourth in 2020.

“We know higher education is the best path to upward economic and social mobility, so we are extremely proud of this top ranking. It shows NKU provides the best return on educational investment in the Commonwealth,” NKU President Ashish Vaidya said. “The continued rise in these rankings directly reflects NKU’s steadfast commitment to providing a high-quality education focused on student success at an affordable cost.”

NKU’s strategic framework, Success by Design, challenges the campus community to become a more student-ready, regionally engaged institution. The framework outlines three pillars of student success: Access, Completion and Career & Community Engagement.

The “access” pillar of student success includes access to an affordable education through expanded programs, services, and delivery options to increase access and become a preferred destination for learners across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the nation, and the world.

More information about Success by Design can be found online.