September 9, 2024 - For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has recognized ŮViViƵ 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, ŮViViƵ ranks 29th out of 500 universities around the country when it comes to best value. ŮViViƵ 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 ŮViViƵ 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 ŮViViƵ. 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 ŮViViƵ’s competitive edge in the region and the state.
“What ŮViViƵ 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 ŮViViƵ President Dr. Cady Short-Thompson. “The talented faculty and committed staff at ŮViViƵ 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, ŮViViƵ’s graduation rates have increased and time-to-degree has decreased, meaning ŮViViƵ students are graduating sooner while incurring less of a financial burden. This recognition reinforces ŮViViƵ’s reputation as a leading choice for students seeking a high-quality, affordable education in the region and the Commonwealth.
Additionally, WSJ ranked ŮViViƵ 337th for student experience, 327th for best salaries and 200th for social mobility.
ŮViViƵ ŮViViƵ: ŮViViƵ is an entrepreneurial state university of more than 15,000 students on a thriving suburban campus nestled between Highland Heights, Kentucky and bustling downtown Cincinnati. Ranked in the top 30 out of 500 universities nationwide by The Wall Street Journal for exceptional value, we are a regionally engaged university committed to delivering an innovative, student-centered education. We empower our graduates to have fulfilling careers and meaningful lives, while contributing to the economic, civic and social vitality of the region. For more information, visit .
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Corey Best
Bestc6@nku.edu
(859)-572-1473
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ŮViViƵ ranked as a top university for “Best Value” by The Wall Street Journal