University of Nebraska at Kearney
University of Nebraska at Kearney — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Nebraska at Kearney at a Glance
The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is a public university in Kearney, Nebraska, United States. It is a part of the University of Nebraska system. The university was formed in 1903 by the Nebraska State Legislature as Kearney State Normal School. The school would later join the University of Nebraska system in 1989 and would re-brand to its current name in 1991.
1905
121 years old
5,699
4,056 undergrad · 1,643 grad
235 acres
Identity
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney Worth It?
University of Nebraska at Kearney offers moderate value at $16,242/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $50,105, which is 7% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.3 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 59% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How University of Nebraska at Kearney compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #59 of 173 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #2 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #3 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #4 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #5 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #59 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | 45 | $16,242 | $50,105 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Nebraska at Kearney's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NE.
Best Programs at University of Nebraska at Kearney
The highest-earning program at University of Nebraska at Kearney is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $44,100/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $25,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate from University of Nebraska at Kearney earns $44,100, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $25,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Business Administration, Management and Operations graduates carry $22,750 in median debt vs. $22,500 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $16,242/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,100 | $44,100 | $22,750 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $38,800 | $38,800 | $16,475 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $37,800 | $37,800 | $21,961 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $34,400 | $34,400 | $22,500 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $34,300 | $34,300 | $23,500 |
| History | $34,200 | $34,200 | $20,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $33,900 | $33,900 | $25,000 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $32,900 | $32,900 | $19,391 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,900 | $32,900 | $21,250 |
| Social Work | $32,600 | $32,600 | $19,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $29,800 | $29,800 | $20,328 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $29,400 | $29,400 | $23,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,900 | $27,900 | N/A |
| Psychology, General | $25,300 | $25,300 | $22,500 |
Similar Colleges in NE
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Kearney, NE
- Student Body
- 4,088 students
- Admission Rate
- 89%
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $16,242
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $50,105
- Median Student Debt
- $19,500