University of Nebraska at Kearney combines open access admission with earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 73.6th percentile for value-added performance. As an Opportunity Builder institution, UNK delivers economic outcomes that exceed predictions while maintaining affordable costs and serving diverse student populations including 33.5% Pell-eligible students.
Earnings beyond expectations despite median earnings around national averages
Controlled costs and reasonable debt levels relative to outcomes
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisOpportunity Builder: accessible education, strong value
University of Nebraska at Kearney ranks #478 nationally in Azimuth's analysis, with composite performance at the 70.7th percentile. Located in Kearney, Nebraska, this medium-sized public university maintains open access admission with an 85.8% acceptance rate while delivering outcomes above expectations.
The university enrolls 33.5% Pell-eligible students and 34.4% first-generation students, demonstrating broad educational access. Graduates earn $4,920 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 73.6th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $50,105 ten years after enrollment, placing UNK around the national average at the 42nd percentile. The university's Opportunity Builders designation reflects its combination of accessible admission, diverse student enrollment, and earnings performance that exceeds predictions based on student demographics and institutional characteristics.
University of Nebraska at Kearney combines accessible education with strong return on investment fundamentals. Graduates earn $4,920 beyond expectations, placing the university at the 73.6th percentile for earnings uplift nationally.
This value-added performance indicates the university effectively supports student success beyond what would be predicted from incoming student characteristics. Median earnings of $50,105 ten years after enrollment rank around the national average, while earnings range from $35,587 at the 25th percentile to $67,898 at the 75th percentile.
Students seeking affordable education with strong outcomes relative to expectations, particularly those interested in business, education, or recreation programs. Well-suited for Nebraska residents and students prioritizing value over prestige at a mid-sized public university with accessible admission standards.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Nebraska At Kearney hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-nebraska-at-kearney/analysis.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Nebraska at Kearney publishes a cost of attendance of $24,452 annually, including $14,260 in out-of-state tuition, $11,936 for room and board, and $770 for books and supplies. In-state students pay significantly less with tuition of $8,302.
However, the average student pays just $16,488 after financial aid—a savings of $7,964 from the published price. This net price sits $2,395 above the peer median of $14,093, indicating UNK costs moderately more than similar regional universities.
The combination of published prices and actual net costs reflects UNK's approach to broad accessibility through financial aid while maintaining revenue from higher-income families. Nebraska residents benefit substantially from the in-state tuition advantage, making UNK particularly attractive for state residents.
The financial aid savings of nearly $8,000 annually demonstrates the university's commitment to affordability through need-based and merit assistance. Families should focus on net price rather than sticker price when evaluating affordability, as the majority of students receive meaningful financial aid reductions.
The cost structure supports UNK's mission as a regional public university serving diverse economic populations while maintaining financial sustainability.
University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth across their early career trajectory. Median earnings rise from $43,241 six years after enrollment to $48,009 at eight years and $50,105 at ten years, representing 15.9% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from substantial cohorts: 1,598 graduates at six years, 1,910 at eight years, and 1,843 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. The university generates $4,920 in earnings beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, ranking at the 73.6th percentile for this value-added measure.
Low-income graduates earn $43,500, placing UNK in the top 50% nationally for outcomes among students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings distribution spans from $35,587 at the 25th percentile to $67,898 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across the university's program portfolio.
Approximately 23.0% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating the university prepares students for both immediate workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Business Administration and Management, General.
152 graduates
Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations.
13 graduates
Artificial Intelligence.
15 graduates
Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist.
23 graduates
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other.
25 graduates
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers 17 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for analysis. Business Administration and Management ranks #104 nationally and #1 in Nebraska, graduating 152 students with median earnings of $60,599 and a value score of 69.6.
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies stands out with a #6 national ranking and #1 state ranking, producing 57 graduates earning $47,372 with an exceptional value score of 83.9. Adult and Continuing Education ranks #125 nationally and #3 in Nebraska, graduating 105 students with median earnings of $38,853.
Agricultural Teacher Education ranks #81 nationally and #2 in Nebraska, graduating 32 students earning $47,021. Psychology General ranks #134 nationally and #1 in Nebraska, with 37 graduates earning $44,525.
Several programs hold flagship status at the university, including ten programs marked as top majors, reflecting UNK's role as a regional comprehensive university with diverse program strengths.
University of Nebraska at Kearney admits 85.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive offers of admission. This places UNK in the Open Access category for selectivity, where admission is accessible to most students who meet basic qualifications.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% indicates UNK admits students at rates typical for similar regional public universities. This level of accessibility means students with solid academic preparation can expect favorable admission odds.
UNK's approach emphasizes broad educational access rather than competitive selection, making it a reliable option for students building college lists. The university's mission centers on serving Nebraska residents and regional students seeking quality education without the uncertainty of highly competitive admission processes.
Students should view UNK as a strong foundation school that provides security while building a balanced college list. The combination of accessible admission with demonstrated value-added outcomes makes UNK particularly attractive for students prioritizing educational opportunity and return on investment over institutional selectivity rankings.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nicholls State University Similar quality tier (#474 ranked) | LA | 96% | $45,454 | #474 | Compare |
Salem State University Similar quality tier (#473 ranked) | MA | 96% | $56,662 | #473 | Compare |
Salisbury University Similar quality tier (#466 ranked) | MD | 89% | $61,515 | #466 | Compare |
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#484 ranked) | LA | 94% | $47,021 | #484 | Compare |
North Carolina Central University Similar quality tier (#463 ranked) | NC | 90% | $42,968 | #463 | Compare |