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University of Nebraska at Kearney

UNK

Kearney, Nebraska 68849-1212

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for business — excellent value

University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public town institution in Kearney, Nebraska. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1089.

A mid-sized campus of 4.1K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

60% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $50,105 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,488.

Established
1905
Motto
Be Blue. Be Gold. BE BOLD.
Mascot
Louie the Loper
Type
Public university
Division
Division II

Plan Your Visit

86%Acceptance
1089SAT Avg
4,130Students
13:1Student:Faculty
60%Grad Rate
$50,105Earnings 10yr
$16,488Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate85.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1089

Reading & WritingMid: 524
480590
MathMid: 512
490560

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22
1825

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$8,302
Tuition (out-of-state)$14,260
Room & Board$11,936
Books & Supplies$770
Total Cost of Attendance$24,452
Average Net Price$16,488
Median Debt at Graduation$19,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$207

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$13,187
$30–48K$13,627
$48–75K$14,549
$75–110K$18,575
$110K+$20,731

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

63.0%

Median Debt at Grad

$13,070

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

27

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

6

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

2

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

8

Drug Arrests

6

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (59)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

77%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
4,130
Gender Split
63% / 37%
Women / Men
First Generation
34%
Pell Grant Recipients
34%

Race & Ethnicity

White 73%
Black 3%
Hispanic 15%
Asian 1%
Two+ 3%
Int'l 4%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate59.8%
Freshman Retention76.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,241
10 Years$50,105

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

  • History The University of Nebraska at Kearney was originally formed in 1903 as the Kearney State Normal School.
  • The school was originally located in different public facilities until the completion of its first building in October 1905.
  • In 1921, the state legislature changed all normal schools, including Kearney State, to being teachers colleges.
  • In 1963, the legislature again changed the name of the college, this time to Kearney State College.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

91Average

Estimated from NE state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
264 mi(458 min)
Denverpop. 710K
318 mi(551 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
418 mi(725 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City252 mi
DEN Denver300 mi
OKC Oklahoma City376 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1448 mi · ~41h 50m drive
New York, NY1310 mi · ~37h 51m drive
Hartford, CT1370 mi · ~39h 35m drive
Providence, RI1434 mi · ~41h 26m drive
Albany, NY1310 mi · ~37h 51m drive
Syracuse, NY1188 mi · ~34h 19m drive
Rochester, NY1114 mi · ~32h 11m drive
Buffalo, NY1050 mi · ~30h 20m drive
Philadelphia, PA1258 mi · ~36h 21m drive
Pittsburgh, PA1001 mi · ~28h 55m drive
Harrisburg, PA1164 mi · ~33h 38m drive
Newark, NJ1301 mi · ~37h 35m drive
Washington, DC1174 mi · ~33h 55m drive
Baltimore, MD1191 mi · ~34h 24m drive
Atlanta, GA939 mi · ~27h 8m drive
Charlotte, NC1061 mi · ~30h 39m drive
Raleigh, NC1158 mi · ~33h 27m drive
Miami, FL1497 mi · ~43h 15m drive
Orlando, FL1307 mi · ~37h 45m drive
Tampa, FL1291 mi · ~37h 18m drive
Nashville, TN736 mi · ~21h 16m drive
New Orleans, LA899 mi · ~25h 58m drive
Richmond, VA1178 mi · ~34h 2m drive
Chicago, IL600 mi · ~17h 20m drive
Detroit, MI837 mi · ~24h 11m drive
Minneapolis, MN418 mi · ~12h 5m drive
St. Louis, MO494 mi · ~14h 16m drive
Kansas City, MO264 mi · ~7h 38m drive
Indianapolis, IN685 mi · ~19h 47m drive
Columbus, OH848 mi · ~24h 30m drive
Cleveland, OH906 mi · ~26h 10m drive
Milwaukee, WI598 mi · ~17h 17m drive
Dallas, TX562 mi · ~16h 14m drive
Houston, TX784 mi · ~22h 39m drive
Austin, TX725 mi · ~20h 57m drive
San Antonio, TX780 mi · ~22h 32m drive
Los Angeles, CA1144 mi · ~33h 3m drive
San Francisco, CA1260 mi · ~36h 24m drive
San Diego, CA1139 mi · ~32h 54m drive
Seattle, WA1241 mi · ~35h 51m drive
Portland, OR1230 mi · ~35h 32m drive
Denver, CO318 mi · ~9h 11m drive
Phoenix, AZ872 mi · ~25h 11m drive
Salt Lake City, UT669 mi · ~19h 20m drive
Honolulu, HI3655 mi · ~105h 35m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

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