University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public institution offering graduate degrees based in Kearney, Nebraska. It enrolls 4,088 students (a mid-sized student body), according to IPEDS 2023-24 data. Below you'll find verified data on admissions, cost, student outcomes, programs offered, and what graduates typically earn, all pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS.
US College Data scores each college on four pillars (outcomes, value, affordability, and selectivity) on a 0–100 scale, ranked within its peer group (4-Year Selective). Scores are calculated from verified College Scorecard and IPEDS data, not opinion or paid placement. Where data is missing, that pillar isn't scored.
Good
69/100
UCD Score · 4-Year Selective
Outcomes55
Value64
Affordability65
Selectivity28
Admissions & Acceptance Rate
With an acceptance rate of 89.5%, University of Nebraska at Kearney is broadly accessible to qualified applicants.
Acceptance Rate
89.5%
Easy
SAT Range (25th–75th)
905 – 1125
Reading + Math combined
ACT Range (25th–75th)
19 – 26
Cumulative composite
Test PolicyNot ConsideredStandardized test scores are not used in admissions decisions.
5-Year Admission Trend
Acceptance rate over the last five admission cycles. The trend tells you whether University of Nebraska at Kearney is getting harder, easier, or staying about the same.
Stable ↑
0.6 pts
since 2019
Cost & Financial Aid
The real cost of attending University of Nebraska at Kearney isn't the sticker price. It's the net price,which is what most students actually pay after grants and scholarships. According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, the average net price is $16,242 per year. That's below the typical net price for public colleges nationally.
Average Net Price
$16,242
Per year, after typical aid
Receive Pell Grants
37%
Need-based federal aid
Receive Federal Loans
35%
Borrowing to attend
Full Cost Breakdown
Published cost of attendance, the sticker price before grants and scholarships. Most students underestimate room & board and other expenses.
Tuition & Fees (in-state)
$8,676
Tuition & Fees (out-of-state)
$15,284
Room & Board (on-campus)
$12,198
Room & Board (off-campus)
$12,198
Books & Supplies
$798
Other Expenses (on-campus)
$5,686
Other Expenses (off-campus)
$5,686
Total Cost of Attendance
$25,808
Application fee: $45 (one-time, due at submission)
Net Price by Family Income
Aid is need-based, so net price varies by family income. Here's what each bracket typically pays after grants and scholarships.
Under $30,000
$13,066
$30,001 – $48,000
$13,350
$48,001 – $75,000
$14,547
$75,001 – $110,000
$16,703
Over $110,000
$20,664
Debt at Graduation
Cumulative federal-loan debt across the full borrowing distribution. The 10th and 90th percentiles bracket the typical range; the median sits in the middle.
$2,75010%percentile
$5,50025%percentile
$19,500Medianpercentile
$24,50075%percentile
$31,50090%percentile
Median Debt by Student Type
Median federal-loan debt at graduation broken down by demographic. Each slice's size is proportional to the dollar amount that group typically borrows.
GroupDebtvs Median
Pell recipients $14,000
↓ $5,500
No Pell $12,115
↓ $7,385
Dependent students $13,000
↓ $6,500
Independent students $13,433
↓ $6,067
Female students $13,250
↓ $6,250
Male students $13,000
↓ $6,500
Worth knowing:
Students who don't finish leave with a median debt of $8,250, less than completers ($19,500), but still a meaningful obligation without a degree in hand.
Graduation Rate & Retention
49% of full-time students who enrolled at University of Nebraska at Kearney graduate within six years, and 78% return for their second year, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
6-Year Graduation Rate
49%
Of students who graduate within six years
First-Year Retention
78%
Returning for their second year
After Graduation: Earnings & Outcomes
According to College Scorecard 2023-24 data, students who entered University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of $50,105 ten years after first enrolling. That's close to the national median for U.S. colleges.
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
$50,105
Earning > $25K
82%
10 yrs after entry
Earnings Growth After Graduation
Median annual earnings 6, 8, and 10 years after students first enrolled.
Earnings by Demographic
Mean annual earnings 10 years after entry, segmented by demographic. Reveals gaps the headline median can't show.
By Gender
Female graduates
$39,100
Median earnings for female grads ten years after first enrolling here.
Male graduates
$54,000
Median earnings for male grads ten years after first enrolling here.
By Family Income at Entry
Family income (lowest third)
$43,500
Earnings of grads from the bottom-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (middle third)
$46,400
Earnings of grads from the middle-third of family incomes at entry.
Family income (highest third)
$46,600
Earnings of grads from the top-third of family incomes at entry.
The gender gap:
Male graduates earn $14,900, about 28% more than female graduates ten years out. The gap reflects industry mix, role choice, and structural pay differences that exist across most US colleges.
Loan Repayment Progression
Share of completer-cohort borrowers paying down at least $1 of principal at the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 7-year mark. Climbing rates show graduates settling into careers and managing debt; flat or declining rates are a warning.
Climbing: graduates increasingly paying down debt ↑
10.2 pts
across 6 years
What this signals:
Excellent. 89% of graduates were paying down at least $1 of principal seven years out.
Who Studies Here
University of Nebraska at Kearney is home to 4,088 students, a mid-sized community. Some distinctive traits: 34% are first-generation college students.
Total Enrolled
4,088
Part-Time
11%
First-Generation
34%
Race & Ethnicity Breakdown
Undergraduate student body composition reported to the US Department of Education.
GroupShareStudents
White 73.4%3,000
Hispanic 15.2%620
International 4.3%177
Other 3.2%130
Black 2.8%114
Asian 0.8%33
Student Life & Campus Culture
Where students live, learn, and connect at University of Nebraska at Kearney. The campus setting, housing profile, and signals that shape day-to-day life here.
Setting
Town: DistantKearney, Nebraska
Housing
Mostly residential1,921 beds on campus
Adult Learners
12%of students are 25 or older
Athletics
NCAAathletic-conference member
Academic Calendar
Semesterscheduling structure
What You Can Study
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers
an extensive catalog of programs:
54 distinct programs across
22 majors.
Below are its strongest majors, each with flagship programs and typical earnings.
Open a major to explore it in depth, or browse the full program catalog.
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Nebraska at Kearney is 13:1, close to the national average.
Student : Faculty
13:1
Students per instructional faculty member
Instruction / Student
$12,733
Annual instructional spending per enrolled student
Endowment
$75M
Modest endowment
Avg Faculty Salary
$74,880
9-month equivalent across all ranks
Faculty by Rank
306 instructional faculty across 4 ranks.
The rank mix shows how many senior faculty are teaching versus contingent or junior staff, with average salary equated to a 9-month contract.
Rank
Faculty Count
Share
Avg Salary
Full Professors
110
36%
$92,165
Associate Professors
82
27%
$71,688
Assistant Professors
56
18%
$66,677
Lecturers
58
19%
$54,531
Pros & Cons of University of Nebraska at Kearney
A quick at-a-glance summary of how University of Nebraska at Kearney tends to stack up for prospective students,weighing its data, size, setting, and cost profile together.
PROS
Below-average net price
Accessible admissions for most applicants
Reasonable class sizes
Solid post-graduation earnings
CONS
Below-average completion rate
Best for:
Based on the data, University of Nebraska at Kearney is a fit for
students who want a clear path to start college without a competitive admissions barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Nebraska at Kearney
Quick answers to the questions most students and parents ask. Every answer below is calculated from verified government data about University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney hard to get into?
University of Nebraska at Kearney has open or near-open admissions. Most qualified applicants are accepted. Acceptance rate: 89.5%.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
University of Nebraska at Kearney has an acceptance rate of 89.5%, according to College Scorecard 2023-24 admissions data.
What SAT score do you need for University of Nebraska at Kearney?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Nebraska at Kearney scored between 905 and 1125 on the SAT (Reading + Math combined). Scores at the higher end of that range improve admissions odds materially. Per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
What ACT score do you need for University of Nebraska at Kearney?
The middle 50% of admitted students at University of Nebraska at Kearney scored between 19 and 26 on the ACT composite. Scores in the upper half of that range strengthen an application. Source: IPEDS 2023-24.
How much does University of Nebraska at Kearney cost?
The average net price after aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney is $16,242 per year, this is what students typically pay after grants and scholarships are applied. Net price data: College Scorecard 2023-24.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney worth it?
Solid return on investment. Graduates earn a median of $50,105 ten years after entering, against an average net price of $16,242 per year. That's roughly 3.1x earnings-to-cost. Source: College Scorecard 2023-24.
What is University of Nebraska at Kearney known for?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is best known for its programs in Business Administration, Teacher Education (K-12), Curriculum & Instruction. These are the most popular fields by completed degrees, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
What do University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entering University of Nebraska at Kearney are $50,105, based on College Scorecard 2023-24 federal earnings data for Title IV recipients.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney accredited?
Yes. University of Nebraska at Kearney is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
How many students attend University of Nebraska at Kearney?
University of Nebraska at Kearney enrolls 4,088 students, per IPEDS 2023-24 fall enrollment data.
What is the graduation rate at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates 49% of full-time students within six years, per IPEDS 2023-24 completion data.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney a public or private college?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is a Public institution.
Where is University of Nebraska at Kearney located?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, Nebraska.
What programs does University of Nebraska at Kearney offer?
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers 54 distinct programs. The most popular include Business Administration, Teacher Education (K-12), Curriculum & Instruction.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
The student-to-faculty ratio at University of Nebraska at Kearney is 13:1, per IPEDS 2023-24 data.
Related Colleges in Nebraska
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Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
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