Arkansas State University vs. UNK

Should I go to Arkansas State University Main Campus or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Arkansas State University or UNK is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Arkansas State University Main Campus vs. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
Arkansas State University Main Campus University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
Arkansas State University Main Campus University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

Arkansas State University UNK
Location Jonesboro, AR Kearney, NE
Setting Small City Remote Town
Enrollment 13,190 6,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #859 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website astate.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Arkansas State University UNK
Tuition (In State) $6,888 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $12,744 $12,036
Room & Board $10,100 $11,390
Avg Net Price $12,011 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $11,225 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

Arkansas State University UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,045 6,794
Admitted 4,202 5,842
Acceptance Rate 69.5% 86%
Enrolled % 31.5% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.66 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 980/1200 1000/1200
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Arkansas State University UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (26%)
  • Health Professions (17%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Business (11%)
  • Social Sciences (4%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Arkansas State University UNK
Graduation Rate 38% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $36,000 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 51% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $201 $219

Diversity

Arkansas State University UNK
% Men 35% 34%
% Women 65% 66%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 74% 79%
% Black 14% 2%
% Hispanic 2% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 6% 5%
% Unknown Race 1% 1%

Students

Arkansas State University UNK
% In-State 81% 85%
% Out-of-State 12% 11%

Campus

Arkansas State University UNK
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (13,190 students vs. 6,041 students)

Arkansas State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Arkansas State University or UNK?

  • Arkansas State University Main Campus is 10.7% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($6,888.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 5.9% higher at Arkansas State University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($12,744.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arkansas State University Main Campus than UNK ($12,011 vs. $16,564)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arkansas State University Main Campus are 12.8% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,100 vs. $11,390)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Arkansas State University Main Campus as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Arkansas State University Main Campus students is 54.1% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,225 vs. $7,282)

Arkansas State University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Arkansas State University or UNK? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UNK or Arkansas State University .

  • The average SAT score at Arkansas State University Main Campus (1088) is 39 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming Arkansas State University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at UNK (23)
  • Accepted freshman Arkansas State University students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Arkansas State University (69.5%)

Arkansas State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Arkansas State University or UNK? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UNK and Arkansas State University.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Arkansas State University Main Campus (61% vs. 38%)
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $7,400 more per year than Arkansas State University graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $36,000)
  • Arkansas State University Main Campus students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than UNK graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,250)
  • Arkansas State University graduates are paying $18 less per month on federal student loans than UNK graduates. ($201 vs. $219)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Arkansas State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/