University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska · Public · 89.5% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 55/100 · Below Average Value
University of Nebraska at Kearney earns a 55 ROI score, landing in the Below Average Value tier. UNK is a midsize regional public with $8,676 in-state tuition (and a modest $15,284 out-of-state rate), strong repayment outcomes (82 percent making progress at three years), and a 57.7 percent completion rate that is solidly above regional-public averages. The numbers that pull the score down are net price and payback period: net price of $16,242 is higher than the in-state sticker, indicating fees and room-and-board carry most of the cost. The four-year total reaches $64,968. Median ten-year earnings of $50,105 against a $36,300 six-year mark produce a 23.2 percent earnings premium. Payback period is 13.6 years, dragged by the cost-to-earnings ratio rather than the debt level itself. Median debt is reasonable at $19,500 with a 0.537 debt-to-earnings ratio. The story at the program level is strong: Business (B), Biology (B+), Allied Health (B), and Communication Disorders (B) all post solid program-level ROI. UNK delivers genuinely good value in the right majors.
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $8,676/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $15,284/yr |
| Average net price | $16,242/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $64,968 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,105 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,300 |
| Median debt at graduation | $19,500 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $207 |
| Estimated payback period | 13.6 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 57.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 4,088 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Nebraska at Kearney is $8,676/year ($15,284/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $16,242/year, or roughly $64,968 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,066/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $20,664/year.
The median graduate leaves with $19,500 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $207 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $50,105 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.54 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $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 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families under $30,000 pay $13,066. Note a small inversion: the $30,001 to $48,000 bracket pays $13,350, slightly more than the lowest-income bracket, which is a mild anomaly likely from small-sample variance. Four-year cost for low-income families is roughly $52,000. Against $50,105 median earnings ten years out, the math is tight but workable, particularly for students in higher-ROI majors.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income families pay $13,350 (the $30,001 to $48,000 tier) and $14,547 (the $48,001 to $75,000 tier). This is the value sweet spot at UNK: total four-year cost around $54,000 to $58,000 for solid post-graduation earnings. Combined with the 82 percent three-year repayment rate, the financial story works well for middle-income Nebraska families.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110,000 pay $20,664, with the $75,001 to $110,000 bracket at $16,703. The progression is normal. Four-year cost for the top bracket is approximately $83,000, which is competitive with UNL (the Lincoln flagship) for in-state students who prefer UNK's smaller environment. High-income families weighing UNK against private alternatives will find it materially cheaper without sacrificing program quality in pre-professional tracks.
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Nebraska at Kearney with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $64,684 | B |
| Teacher Education | $41,922 | C |
| Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment | $77,034 | B |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $54,563 | D |
| Social Work | $53,203 | C |
| Biology | $67,151 | B+ |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | $47,600 | D |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $49,584 | C+ |
| Teacher Education, Subject-Specific | $44,687 | C |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $55,356 | C+ |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is the dominant program at UNK with 157 graduates per year, earning a B grade. First-year median earnings of $48,861 grow to $64,684 by year four, with $20,199 in median debt and a 0.413 debt-to-earnings ratio. The combination of strong cohort size, healthy earnings progression, and modest debt makes this one of the most defensible business-degree values in the Plains region.
Teacher Education
Teacher Education produces 124 graduates with C grade. First-year earnings of $38,853, year-four of $41,922, $23,363 in debt, 0.601 debt-to-earnings ratio. Reflects Nebraska teacher pay scales, which are modest but stable with pensions. UNK is a major teacher pipeline for rural Nebraska schools, and the credential is highly portable within state. Financial math is workable for students committed to teaching as a career.
Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment
Allied Health earns B with 49 graduates, $77,034 year-four median earnings, $27,000 in median debt, and a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. This is among the strongest program-level outcomes at UNK, with clear pipelines into Nebraska Medicine and regional health systems. Strong value despite the higher debt load relative to other UNK programs.
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies
Parks and Recreation produces 45 graduates with a D grade. First-year earnings of just $28,241, climbing to $54,563 by year four against $23,500 in debt and a 0.832 debt-to-earnings ratio. The four-year earnings figure shows real progression but entry-level pay is the constraint. Career paths run into municipal recreation, state parks, and outdoor-industry roles. Should be chosen with eyes open about early-career debt service.
Social Work
Social Work shows 44 graduates with a C grade. First-year earnings of $39,218 grow to $53,203 by year four, with $24,000 in debt and a 0.612 debt-to-earnings ratio. Strong fit for students pursuing licensed clinical social work paths and rural-Nebraska human-services roles. The debt load is meaningful relative to entry-level pay; PSLF and rural-service loan repayment programs are worth exploring.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 78.8% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 81.7% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 75.8% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.5% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 89.5% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 410-550 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 495-575 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 19-26 |
| Enrollment | 4,088 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 36.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $8,350 |
UNK admits 89.5 percent of applicants. SAT mid-range is 410 to 550 math and 495 to 575 reading, with ACT mid-range of 19 to 26. This is an accessible profile typical of regional state universities, and prepared students should expect admission. The 57.7 percent completion rate is meaningfully above national averages for this admit profile, suggesting UNK's advising and academic support infrastructure compensates effectively for broad admissions.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Named peers are Chadron State College, University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Massachusetts Global, and Washburn University. UNO posts a stronger ROI score with comparable earnings and better completion. Washburn University in Kansas runs a similar mid-Plains regional-public profile and tends to fall in the same Below Average to Fair Value range. Chadron State is smaller and weaker on completion. UMass Global is online-focused and structurally different. UNK's program-level outcomes in business and the health sciences outperform most of this cohort.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska at Kearney (this school) | 55 | $16,242 | $50,105 |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | 64 | $13,441 | $53,909 |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | 52 | $10,892 | $48,866 |
| University of Massachusetts Global | 52 | $32,654 | $65,703 |
| Washburn University | 51 | $15,280 | $49,774 |
| Chadron State College | 50 | $12,549 | $47,002 |
Who Thrives Here
UNK fits a Nebraska student who wants a regional residential experience and a broad menu of programs at low cost. Pell rate is 36.9 percent, indicating a meaningfully need-tested student body. Enrollment is 4,088. Strong fits are students targeting Business Administration (the largest program at 157 graduates per year), Biology, Allied Health, Communication Disorders, or Teacher Education. The full spectrum of public-university support services is in place, and outcomes in technical and pre-professional majors are competitive with much pricier private alternatives.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for University of Nebraska at Kearney is mixed. At $16,242 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $50,105 ten years after entry - a payback period of 13.6 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Key strengths include high loan repayment success. However, the data also shows a long payback period.
Median debt of $19,500 against $50,105 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.