Central vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

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

University of Central Missouri is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (12,857 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Central Missouri is located in Warrensburg, MO (Rural Fringe setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• University of Central Missouri 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: University of Central Missouri 18:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

Central vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central 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 Central Missouri than UNK ($14,943 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Central Missouri are 12% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($10,740 vs. $12,198).
• University of Central Missouri is 15.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $1,374 more per year; $10,050.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.7% higher at Central than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $3,316 more per year; $18,600.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Central Missouri than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (96% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 25.2% larger than aid received by University of Central Missouri students ($9,776 vs. $7,811).

Central vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central 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 Central.

• Incoming Central students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UNK (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsUniversity of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Central Missouri 19/25; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Central students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.68) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Central (63.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Central vs. 18.5% at UNK.

Central vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central 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 University of Central Missouri's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than Central graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $41,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $1,191 lower median loan debt than Central graduates ($21,250 vs. $22,441).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central graduates ($219 vs. $232).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 59%)

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.