Northwest vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwest Missouri State University is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (9,152 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwest Missouri State University 16:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Northwest vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwest or UNK? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska at Kearney than Northwest ($16,287 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska at Kearney are 0.7% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($12,198 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 22.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $1,935 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.3% higher at Northwest than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $2,040 more per year; $17,324.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 7.4% larger than aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students ($9,776 vs. $9,101).

Northwest vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwest or UNK? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UNK and Northwest.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwest Missouri State University (1080) is 60 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwest Missouri State University 19/24; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwest - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwest students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.2% at Northwest vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Northwest vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwest and UNK? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($21,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($219 vs. $258).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 63%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.