Humboldt State University vs. UNK

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

Humboldt State University UNK
Location Arcata, CA Kearney, NE
Setting Remote Town Remote Town
Enrollment 6,025 6,041
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #831 #571
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website humboldt.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Humboldt State University UNK
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $12,036
Room & Board $12,540 $11,390
Avg Net Price $14,325 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $9,262 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 66% 100%

Admission

Humboldt State University UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 8,505 6,794
Admitted 8,350 5,842
Acceptance Rate 98.2% 86%
Enrolled % 11.5% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 17/25 19/25
SAT Range 970/1190 1000/1200
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Apr 30, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

Humboldt State University UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Natural Resources Conservation (12%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Social Sciences (10%)
  • Biology (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Humboldt State University UNK
Graduation Rate 40% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $39,000 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,500 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $201 $219

Diversity

Humboldt State University UNK
% Men 42% 34%
% Women 58% 66%
Racial Diversity Very High Low
HBCU No No
% White 45% 79%
% Black 3% 2%
% Hispanic 33% 11%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 6% 2%
% International 1% 5%
% Unknown Race 7% 1%

Students

Humboldt State University UNK
% In-State 91% 85%
% Out-of-State 8% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Humboldt State University based on total student enrollment (6,041 students vs. 6,025 students)

Humboldt State University vs. UNK Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is 8.3% more expensive to attend than Humboldt State University for in-state tuition ($6,220.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 46.4% higher at Humboldt State University than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($17,622.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Humboldt State University than UNK ($14,325 vs. $16,564)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 10.1% lower than costs at Humboldt State University ($11,390 vs. $12,540)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Humboldt State University (100% vs. 66%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Humboldt State University students is 27.2% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,262 vs. $7,282)

Humboldt State University vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 59 points higher than at Humboldt State University (990)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Humboldt State University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Humboldt State University students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • Humboldt State University has a higher acceptance rate (98.2%) than UNK (86%)

Humboldt State University vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Humboldt 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 Humboldt State University.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Humboldt State University (61% vs. 40%)
  • Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn on average $4,400 more per year than Humboldt State University graduates after ten years. ($43,400 vs. $39,000)
  • Humboldt State University students graduate with a $1,750 lower median federal student loan debt than UNK graduates. ($19,500 vs. $21,250)
  • Humboldt 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 Humboldt State University students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 56%)

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