Home » NKU fall 2019 enrollment up 6% from year ago

NKU fall 2019 enrollment up 6% from year ago

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. — Northern Kentucky University beat its enrollment projections for the fall 2019 semester. Final enrollment figures for this semester increased to 15,687 students, which is a 6% increase compared to last year and an 8% increase from fall 2017.

NKU’s Success by Design Strategic Framework guides the university with a singular focus on student success aligned with the needs of the region. Anticipating market changes, NKU took proactive steps to become a student ready institution, and the investments are working.

NKU’s graduate programs saw an increase and now make up 20% of total enrollment, driven by Accelerated Online Learning. These programs are completely online and offer the convenience and structure many students need. Another successful program, School Based Scholars, allows high school students to earn college credits before they graduate.

“Our students are widely diverse and come from many different backgrounds and experiences. We were responsive to their needs and created degree paths with the flexibility to fit into their schedule and lives,” said Provost Sue Ott Rowlands. “Our focus is to identify and remove barriers to higher education, and sometimes just getting to campus is a challenge.”

Last year, NKU invested in initiatives that address affordability, including the EDGE program that made tuition more affordable for out-of-state students and micro-grants that provide the “last dollar in” scholarships. With the increased support for students, NKU saw a 4% increase in retention and also closed achievement gaps.

“Our strategic framework has directed how we responded to the changes in the market,” said Kimberly Scranage, vice president for enrollment and degree management. “We focused on meeting students where they are and providing the support they need to succeed. These initiatives have paid off this semester putting these students on the path to earning their degree.”

Success by Design outlines three pillars of student success: Access, Completion and Career & Community Engagement. NKU will begin implementing the framework by tackling the First Five, the top initiatives determined through campus feedback. These initiatives complement the actions NKU has underway to boost enrollment. Visit the Admissions page for more information on all of the university’s programs.