UNK Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 89.49%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1030. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $8,564
- Out-of-State Tuition: $16,484
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at UNK:
- Total Enrollment: 5,881, including 2,191 online students
- 4,213 Undergraduate, 1,668 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 35.6% men, 64.4% women.
- This is a lower medium-sized institution, balancing resources and a sense of community.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 58%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 4%. Few students transfer out, suggesting most students remain through graduation.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 80%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 61 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 13 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 20 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's.
UNK Overview
University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is a four-year, public school located in Kearney, NE. University of Nebraska at Kearney was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Master's College and University (larger programs)) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The UNK's tuition & fees is $8,564 for Nebraska residents and $16,484 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 82% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $11,172.
The school has a total enrollment of 5,881 and the students to faculty ratio is 14 to 1 (7.14%).
UNK's acceptance rate is 89.49% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 18.51%. The median SAT score is 1030 and the ACT score is 22.
UNK ranked 5th in Nebraska Colleges rankings. University of Nebraska at Kearney is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of University of Nebraska at Kearney is $8,564 for in-state students and $16,484 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $8,106 for in-state students and $16,074 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $8,868 for Nebraska residents and $17,068 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $8,353 for Nebraska residents and $16,594 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,564 | $16,484 |
|---|
| Graduate | $8,106 | $16,074 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $8,868 | $17,068 |
|---|
| Graduate | $8,353 | $16,594 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at UNK
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
University of Nebraska at Kearney Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing UNK