Central College vs. UNK

Should I go to Central College or University of Nebraska at Kearney? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Central College 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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Central College vs. University of Nebraska at Kearney comparison
Central College University of Nebraska at Kearney College 3 College 4
Central College University of Nebraska at Kearney
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Overview

 Central College UNK
Location Pella, IA Kearney, NE
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,169 6,041
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #519 #571
Religious Affiliation Reformed Church in America - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website central.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Central College UNK
Tuition (In State) $19,800 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $19,800 $12,036
Room & Board $10,860 $11,390
Avg Net Price $23,303 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $10,999 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Central College UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,970 6,794
Admitted 1,561 5,842
Acceptance Rate 79.2% 86%
Enrolled % 22.5% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.52 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Moderate Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/26 19/25
SAT Range 1040/1218 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

 Central College UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (17%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (13%)
  • Social Sciences (12%)
  • Biology (8%)
  • Foreign Languages (7%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Central College UNK
Graduation Rate 63% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,000 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 78% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $27,000 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $279 $219

Diversity

 Central College UNK
% Men 52% 34%
% Women 48% 66%
Racial Diversity Very Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 87% 79%
% Black 2% 2%
% Hispanic 4% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 1% 2%
% International 0% 5%
% Unknown Race 3% 1%

Students

 Central College UNK
% In-State 73% 85%
% Out-of-State 26% 11%

Campus

 Central College UNK
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Central College based on total student enrollment (6,041 students vs. 1,169 students)

Central College vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central College or UNK?

  • Central College is 218.3% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($19,800.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 64.5% higher at Central College than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($19,800.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Central College ($16,564 vs. $23,303)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central College are 4.9% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,860 vs. $11,390)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Central College as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Central College students is 51% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,999 vs. $7,282)

Central College vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Central College (1068) is 19 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming Central College students have at the same average ACT score (23) as students at UNK (23)
  • Accepted freshman Central College students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.52) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Central College (79.2%)

Central College vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Central College 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 Central College.

  • The graduation rate at Central College is higher than University of Nebraska at Kearney (63% vs. 61%)
  • Graduates from Central College earn on average $4,600 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($48,000 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $5,750 lower median federal student loan debt than Central College graduates. ($21,250 vs. $27,000)
  • UNK graduates are paying $60 less per month on federal student loans than Central College graduates. ($219 vs. $279)
  • More Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNK students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 71%)

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