ROTC at Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY · private nonprofit
Yes, through cross-town: Northern Kentucky University students join Army ROTC at Xavier University and Air Force ROTC at University of Cincinnati.
Cross-town & partner options
Northern Kentucky University students can also join these branches. They travel to the partner school for training.
Army ROTCCross-town · 8.3 mi
Air Force/Space Force ROTCCross-town · 7.5 miCross-enroll students take Aerospace Studies courses at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus.
ROTC outcomes
Students at Northern Kentucky University in ROTC, from any branch and any unit. Averages per academic year, AY2011–AY2021.
- About 1.8 officers commissioned per year, all services
- About 7.2 students start ROTC here each year
Students starting ROTC, by group
- Men81%
- White86%
Groups under 5 people a year are not shown.
Source: GAO, GAO-23-105857 (campus data, AY2011–AY2021). GAO counted cadets and commissions by the school the student attended. Numbers for recent years can differ.
Admissions
| Admission rate | 65% |
|---|---|
| SAT range (25th–75th) | 1,100–1,330 |
| ACT range (25th–75th) | 23–30 |
| Test policy | Test-optional |
These are the most recent College Scorecard figures. The school decides admission. An ROTC scholarship board judges your academics on its own, in a separate process.
Cost & financial aid (with ROTC)
| In-state tuition | $38,000 |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,000 |
| Average net price | $32,000 |
| 6-year graduation rate | 72% |
Tuition and net price: College Scorecard. You can usually combine an ROTC scholarship with other aid from Northern Kentucky University. Ask the unit and the financial aid office to confirm how the aid combines.
Academic programs
Northern Kentucky University has 12,000 undergraduates. ROTC cadets can study almost any major. Some scholarships and commissioning options prefer certain fields.
Yellow Ribbon & veteran support
Yellow Ribbon is a GI Bill benefit for veterans and eligible dependents, not an ROTC scholarship. The school pays part of the tuition above the GI Bill cap, and VA matches it.
Yellow Ribbon: Northern Kentucky University takes part.
| Level | Program | School pays (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | All programs | Up to $2,500 |
| Graduate | All programs | Up to $2,500 |
| Graduate | Chase Law School | Up to $2,500 |
Source: VA GI Bill Comparison Tool, checked Oct 14, 2026. Confirm amounts with the school's veterans office before you enroll.
ROTC at Northern Kentucky University: FAQ
Does Northern Kentucky University have ROTC?
Yes, through cross-town: Northern Kentucky University students join Army ROTC at Xavier University and Air Force ROTC at University of Cincinnati.
Which ROTC branches can Northern Kentucky University students join?
Army ROTC (cross-town at Xavier University, 8 mi) and Air Force ROTC (cross-town at University of Cincinnati, 8 mi).
Is ROTC at Northern Kentucky University on campus or cross-town?
Army and Air Force ROTC are cross-town: cadets enroll at Northern Kentucky University and train with the unit at Xavier University and University of Cincinnati.
School links and location
These links belong to Northern Kentucky University. To ask about an ROTC program, open that program above and use the unit's own contact details. ROTCScholar is not the school and not the unit.
- Official site
nku.edu
- Admissions
nku.edu
- Financial aid
inside.nku.edu
- Net price calculator
Estimate your cost before ROTC money is applied
- Veteran & military services
Campus office for GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon, and military students
Location: Highland Heights, KY 41099
IPEDS UNITID: 157447
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ROTCScholar is an independent directory. We are not an ROTC unit, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military. Check details with the unit before you act on them.