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University of Nebraska at Kearney

#640 in US ranking Kearney, NE
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Nebraska at Kearney award
University of Nebraska at Kearney award

Cost

Cost / year
$27,218
Tuition & fees
$8,563
Avg. aid
$11,172
Receiving aid
96%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
89%
SAT range
905–1125
ACT range
19–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
58%
Median salary
$42,631
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of Nebraska at Kearney?

UNK is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from any professional accreditation that may apply to an individual degree program.

HLC accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid, but it does not guarantee that a particular course will transfer elsewhere or that a graduate will qualify for a professional license. Applicants to regulated fields should check the current program-specific accreditation and the licensing rules in the state where they expect to practice. The HLC's public institutional directory is the appropriate place to confirm UNK's current institutional status.

What are the admission requirements at University of Nebraska at Kearney?

UNK is not an open-admission institution. First-year applicants generally apply with a secondary-school record showing graduation or an accepted equivalent and completion of the required college-preparatory coursework. Applicants should use the university's current admissions instructions to determine which transcript and credential documents must be sent directly by their schools.

In reported admissions data, high school GPA, class rank, recommendations, and SAT or ACT scores were considered but not universally required; the secondary-school record and college-preparatory coursework were required. Test-optional treatment does not necessarily eliminate score requirements for a specific scholarship or academic program. Students educated outside the United States may also need to document English-language proficiency; TOEFL is among the recognized requirements reported for relevant applicants.

UNK admitted approximately 89% of first-time applicants in the reported admissions cycle. That figure describes a past applicant pool, not an individual applicant's probability of admission. Admission to the university and admission to a selective major can involve different decisions, so applicants should check program requirements and the deadlines for their intended entry term.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of Nebraska at Kearney?

The reported undergraduate application fee is $45. An application fee is a charge to submit an application; it is separate from tuition, housing charges, and any later enrollment or orientation costs.

Applicants who may qualify for a fee waiver should review the current application and admissions instructions before submitting and paying. Waiver procedures and eligibility can vary by applicant category or application route, and a waived fee should not be assumed without confirmation. Transfer, graduate, and international applicants should also check the fee displayed for their specific application.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of Nebraska at Kearney?

Army ROTC is available to UNK students through an on-campus program. It combines college coursework and leadership training for students interested in a potential Army commission.

Taking an introductory ROTC course is not the same as accepting an ROTC scholarship or committing to military service. Scholarship terms, medical and fitness standards, contracting rules, and post-graduation service obligations depend on the student's path through the program. Prospective participants should discuss those distinctions with UNK's Army ROTC staff before making an enrollment or scholarship decision.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of Nebraska at Kearney?

UNK accepts transfer applicants and generally considers college credit earned at accredited institutions. Transfer admission and the application of credits toward a particular degree are separate questions: a course may transfer as elective credit without satisfying a major or general-education requirement.

Applicants should arrange official transcripts from every college attended and review the current transfer-admission instructions for any high school record or additional document required in their circumstances. UNK also reports accepting certain forms of examination and evaluated learning credit, including AP, CLEP subject examinations, DSST, and applicable American Council on Education recommendations; each has its own score or evaluation rules.

Before enrolling, a transfer student should seek a program-specific credit evaluation that shows which requirements remain. This is particularly important for sequential majors and teacher-preparation programs, where prerequisite order and fieldwork can affect time to graduation.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of Nebraska at Kearney?

UNK students can explore study-abroad options through the university's international education resources. The available choices, destinations, and terms may change, so students should distinguish a UNK-led experience from an exchange or an approved external program when comparing costs and academic credit.

The practical first step is to obtain academic approval for proposed courses before departure. Students should also ask how a program affects their degree sequence, scholarships, federal aid, housing arrangements, and any additional travel costs. Education majors and students in other tightly sequenced programs may need to plan farther ahead to accommodate required courses or placements.

University of Nebraska at Kearney Admissions Factors

SAT range
905–1125
4001600
ACT range
19–26
136
Acceptance rate
89%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
89%
Nebraska
79%
US
78%

19% of admitted students enrolled (875 of 4,728)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 6-11
ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

University of Nebraska at Kearney Admissions

Applicants
Total: 5,283
Admission
Total: 4,728
Enrolled
Total: 875
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of Nebraska at Kearney

Application fee

$45

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

University of Nebraska at Kearney First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 765
Out-of-state: 91
International: 18

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 875
Transfer: 296

University of Nebraska at Kearney Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1036

Median composite ACT score

22

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

90%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

3%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Secondary school GPA

Considered but not required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Required

Recommendations

Considered but not required

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

University of Nebraska at Kearney Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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