Southwestern College vs. UNK

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

 Southwestern College UNK
Location Winfield, KS Kearney, NE
Setting Distant Town Remote Town
Enrollment 1,174 6,041
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #453 #571
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sckans.edu unk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Southwestern College UNK
Tuition (In State) $36,500 $6,220
Tuition (Out of State) $36,500 $12,036
Room & Board $9,380 $11,390
Avg Net Price $27,003 $16,564
Avg Grant Aid $26,047 $7,282
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 100%

Admission

 Southwestern College UNK
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,240 6,794
Admitted 870 5,842
Acceptance Rate 70.2% 86%
Enrolled % 23.3% 14.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.33 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Very Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 17/22 19/25
SAT Range 900/1220 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 22, 2025 Aug 15, 2025

Academics

 Southwestern College UNK
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (44%)
  • Education (12%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (11%)
  • Computer and Information Sciences (10%)
  • Health Professions (4%)
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

 Southwestern College UNK
Graduation Rate 57% 61%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,100 $43,400
Making Student Loan Payments 57% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,750 $21,250
Median Loan Payment $266 $219

Diversity

 Southwestern College UNK
% Men 65% 34%
% Women 35% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 54% 79%
% Black 12% 2%
% Hispanic 8% 11%
% Native American 2% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 5% 5%
% Unknown Race 15% 1%

Students

 Southwestern College UNK
% In-State 36% 85%
% Out-of-State 61% 11%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than than Southwestern College based on total student enrollment (6,041 students vs. 1,174 students)

Southwestern College vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwestern College or UNK?

  • Southwestern College is 486.8% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($36,500.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 203.3% higher at Southwestern College than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($36,500.00 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 Southwestern College ($16,564 vs. $27,003)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern College are 21.4% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,380 vs. $11,390)
  • The same percent of students receive financial grant aid at Southwestern College as University of Nebraska at Kearney (100% vs. 100%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern College students is 257.7% larger than aid received University of Nebraska at Kearney ($26,047 vs. $7,282)

Southwestern College vs. UNK Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1049) is 50 points higher than at Southwestern College (999)
  • Incoming UNK students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Southwestern College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Southwestern College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.33) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • UNK has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Southwestern College (70.2%)

Southwestern College vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Southwestern 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 Southwestern College.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than Southwestern College (61% vs. 57%)
  • Graduates from Southwestern College earn on average $9,700 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($53,100 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $4,500 lower median federal student loan debt than Southwestern College graduates. ($21,250 vs. $25,750)
  • UNK graduates are paying $47 less per month on federal student loans than Southwestern College graduates. ($219 vs. $266)
  • More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southwestern College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 57%)

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