KU vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Kansas is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (29,792 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• University of Kansas 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 Kansas 18:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

KU vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, KU 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 KU ($16,287 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 6.9% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,358 vs. $12,198).
• University of Kansas is 39.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $3,426 more per year; $12,102.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 99.1% higher at KU than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $15,148 more per year; $30,432.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kansas than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 18.1% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($11,541 vs. $9,776).

KU vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, KU 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 KU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 170 points higher than at UNK (1020).
• Incoming KU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UNK).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 1070/1300; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Kansas 20/28; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: KU - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UNK (3.24).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than UNK (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.5% at KU vs. 18.5% at UNK.

KU vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for KU 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).

• The graduation rate at KU is the same as at University of Nebraska at Kearney (61% vs. 61%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than UNK graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than UNK graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNK graduates ($211 vs. $219).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 66%)

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.