University of Nebraska at Kearney Acceptance Rate &
University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public research university in Kearney, Nebraska, serving roughly 4,088 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 89.49% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $50,105 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,676
- 2024 Average Net Price: $16,242 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 89.49% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 4,088 88.8% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 57.74%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 34.4%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 4.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price decrease of 5.3% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 66.2%
- Average SAT Score: 1118
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 4,607
- Applicants (IPEDS): 7,253
- Room & Board: $12,198 annual estimate
University of Nebraska at Kearney: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Nebraska at Kearney, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Nebraska at Kearney?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (ZIP 68849-1212).
NCES locale classification: Town distant.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney public or private?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is a Public institution.
How much does University of Nebraska at Kearney cost?
Published tuition: $8,676 in-state, $15,284 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $16,242.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $13,066 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $13,350 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,547 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,703 |
| $110,001+ | $20,664 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $34,704.
How hard is it to get into University of Nebraska at Kearney?
Admission rate: 89.49%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1118 and midpoint ACT 22.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Nebraska at Kearney?
Total enrollment: 4,088 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 4,607 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,668 students.
About 89% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
150%-time completion rate: 57.74%.
First-year retention: 80.0%.
What do graduates of University of Nebraska at Kearney earn?
Median earnings: $43,241 six years after entry; $50,105 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
36.93% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Nebraska at Kearney known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Elementary Education and Teaching (157 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (153 completions)
- Curriculum and Instruction (104 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (95 completions)
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services (65 completions)
- General Studies (60 completions)
- History, General (59 completions)
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other (58 completions)
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General (56 completions)
- Special Education and Teaching, General (49 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 89.49%; completion rate 57.74%; median earnings $50,105 at 10 years; net price $16,242. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$8,676
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Nebraska at Kearney was $8,676.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$16,242
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Nebraska at Kearney had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,242.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$64,968 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$16,242 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$34,704 4-Year In-State Tuition
$61,136 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$12,198 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$798 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$21,672 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$86,688 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Financial Aid by Income Level
36.93% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
35.39% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Nebraska at Kearney was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Nebraska at Kearney in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $6,542 | $12,370 | $14,313 |
| 2014 | $6,586 | $12,744 | $15,100 |
| 2015 | $6,711 | $12,981 | $15,488 |
| 2016 | $6,844 | $12,268 | $15,823 |
| 2017 | $7,294 | $13,194 | $16,644 |
| 2018 | $7,512 | $13,742 | $16,603 |
| 2019 | $7,752 | $13,854 | $16,017 |
| 2020 | $7,962 | $14,164 | $17,099 |
| 2021 | $7,986 | $14,238 | $16,611 |
| 2022 | $7,984 | $13,786 | $17,417 |
| 2023 | $8,302 | $14,260 | $16,488 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
89.49% Acceptance Rate
7,253 Total Applicants
6,222 Students Admitted
910 First-Time Students Enrolled
14.63% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1118
ACT Average: 22
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Nebraska at Kearney reported total enrollment of about 4,088 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 38% male and 62% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (73.4%), Hispanic or Latino (15.2%), and Non-Resident Alien (4.3%). About 36.93% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 34.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
88.8% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2024 is 4,088 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 4,607 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,668 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
80.0%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 73.4%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
35.74% 100% Completion Time
57.74% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 35.74% of students graduating from University of Nebraska at Kearney completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Elementary Education and Teaching: 7% male / 93% female
- Business Administration and Management, General: 48% male / 52% female
- Curriculum and Instruction: 24% male / 76% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$50,105 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
38.92% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
671.23% Return on Investment
3.9 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 45 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Elementary Education and Teaching: 157 completions
2. Business Administration and Management, General: 153 completions
3. Curriculum and Instruction: 104 completions
4. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 95 completions
5. Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services: 65 completions
6. General Studies: 60 completions
7. History, General: 59 completions
8. Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other: 58 completions
9. Educational Leadership and Administration, General: 56 completions
Most popular programs at University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Nebraska at Kearney from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 66.2%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,350
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,409
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public institution located in Kearney, NE, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Elementary Education and Teaching, Business Administration and Management, General, Curriculum and Instruction. Enrollment is approximately 4,088 students. Student body composition includes White (73.4%), Hispanic or Latino (15.2%), Non-Resident Alien (4.3%). The admission rate is 89.49%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1118. The 150%-time completion rate is 57.74%. Approximately 36.93% of students receive Pell Grants. About 34.4% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Kearney, NE 68849-1212
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
University of Nebraska at Kearney provides educational opportunities for students seeking higher education. Prospective students should carefully evaluate all factors including costs, outcomes, and program offerings when making their enrollment decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Nebraska at Kearney located?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE.
What is University of Nebraska at Kearney's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Nebraska at Kearney is 89.5% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 7,253 applicants and 6,222 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Nebraska at Kearney cost?
Reported tuition is $8,676 and average net price is $16,242 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $12,198 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports undergraduate enrollment of about 4,607 students, White (73.4%), Hispanic or Latino (15.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Nebraska at Kearney?
About 34.4% of students at University of Nebraska at Kearney are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Nebraska at Kearney?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Nebraska at Kearney reports midpoint SAT about 1118 and midpoint ACT about 22.
What do graduates of University of Nebraska at Kearney earn?
Median earnings are $43,241 six years after entry and $50,105 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
The 150%-time completion rate is 57.7% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Nebraska at Kearney students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney public or private?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public institution located in Kearney, NE.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney an HBCU?
No. University of Nebraska at Kearney is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney a tribal college?
No. University of Nebraska at Kearney is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Nebraska college costs
- Nebraska colleges by ROI
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Nebraska
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.