University of Nebraska at Kearney
#9 Best Education Colleges in Nebraska- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,105 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,242 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 89% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 18.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.4 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Education Colleges in Nebraska.
Every $1 spent returns $18.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,129,363.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
-
Earnings 23% above the national college median.
-
Every $1 invested returns $18.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why University of Nebraska at Kearney Matters
University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public university in Kearney, NE and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 4,088
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Education, Health Professions, Humanities
Why students choose University of Nebraska at Kearney
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 89% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 905–1125. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,242 a year after grants and scholarships — 5% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,105 ten years after enrolling — 23% above the typical college, against $19,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.70 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of around 4,088 students, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is an inviting choice for those looking for a supportive educational environment. It’s particularly great for individuals interested in fields like Education, Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Humanities, and Psychology. The acceptance rate of 89% means that students from various academic backgrounds have a good chance of finding their place here, making it a solid option for many.
After graduation, students can expect to earn an average salary of $50,105 after ten years. This figure is a helpful benchmark as it reflects the potential financial return on their educational investment. While we don't have mobility data, it's clear that a degree from Kearney can help many graduates move forward in their careers, especially in fields with strong job markets. The affordability of the education is another plus; with a net price of $16,242 after aid, it’s accessible for a wide range of students.
When considering the financial aspect, students should note the median debt of $19,500. This amount is relatively manageable, especially given the potential earnings. The school is particularly well-suited for those who may be receiving Pell Grants, as 37% of students benefit from this assistance. Overall, Kearney tends to attract students who appreciate a supportive community and are eager to engage with their studies, all while keeping their financial goals in sight.
Rankings
- #9 Best Education Colleges in Nebraska
- #10 Best Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
- #10 Best Master's Programs in Nebraska
- #10 Best Nursing Colleges in Nebraska
- #11 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska
- #11 Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska
- #12 Best Psychology Colleges in Nebraska
- #13 Best Colleges in Nebraska
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Nebraska at Kearney is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Nebraska at Kearney? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kearney, Nebraska, University of Nebraska at Kearney admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,118. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Retention Rate
- 80%
- SAT Average
- 1118
- ACT Midpoint
- 22
- SAT Range
- 905–1125
- ACT Range
- 19–26
- Full-Time Faculty
- 66%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,350
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.43
- First-Gen Students
- 34%
- Applicants
- 6,794
- Admitted
- 5,842
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Nebraska at Kearney? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Nebraska at Kearney is $15,284, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,242. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,066 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,676
- Out-of-State
- $15,284
- Avg Net Price
- $16,242
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 37%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 35%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,066
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,350
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,547
- Family Income $110K+
- $20,664
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at University of Nebraska at Kearney — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of $50,105, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $43,241
- 8 Years
- $48,009
- 10 Years
- $50,105
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.39x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (291)
- 33%
- 100% (291)
- 33%
- 100% (291)
- 33%
- 100% (291)
- 33%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Nebraska at Kearney delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,242/year ($64,968 total). Graduates earn $50,105 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,194,331 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,129,363 (18.4× your investment). The median debt is $19,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $64,968
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,194,331
- Net Return
- $1,129,363
- ROI Multiple
- 18.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,242
- Median Debt
- $19,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $4,140,548
- Investment Income
- $830,295
Top Programs
The fields University of Nebraska at Kearney awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 22% $54,203 early-career
- Education 16% $47,776 early-career
- Health Professions 8% $57,795 early-career
- Humanities 6% $34,410 early-career
- Psychology 5% $26,856 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 5% $40,390 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $40,753 early-career
- Criminal Justice 4% $42,020 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Nebraska at Kearney's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- B+Physician Assistant$130,020 · 28% growthResilient 96
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Nebraska at Kearney? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Kearney, Nebraska, University of Nebraska at Kearney admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,118. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Nebraska at Kearney? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Nebraska at Kearney is $15,284, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,242. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,066 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,500 in federal student loans.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of $50,105, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Nebraska at Kearney? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Nebraska at Kearney.
- Pittsburg State UniversityPittsburg, KS · Close peer57% grad $50,579 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO · Close peer56% grad $47,885 earn 86% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA · Close peer54% grad $51,019 earn 91% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Winthrop UniversityRock Hill, SC · Close peer59% grad $47,185 earn 79% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Longwood UniversityFarmville, VA · Close peer61% grad $52,347 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Vermont State UniversityRandolph, VT · Close peer48% grad $50,331 earn 82% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Nebraska at Kearney? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note