UNK vs. Purdue Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE with Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Northwest is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (9,051 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); Purdue University Northwest is in Hammond, Indiana (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Northwest is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; Purdue University Northwest 17:1.

UNK vs. Purdue Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue University Northwest than UNK ($7,916 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Purdue University Northwest are 27% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,907 vs. $12,198).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is 0% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purdue Northwest (about $1 more per year; $8,676.00 vs. $8,675.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.3% higher at Purdue Northwest than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $810 more per year; $16,094.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney as at Purdue University Northwest (89% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 39.8% larger than aid received by Purdue University Northwest students ($9,776 vs. $6,992).

UNK vs. Purdue Northwest Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK or Purdue Northwest? 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 Purdue Northwest and UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is the same as at Purdue Northwest (1020).
• Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at Purdue Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; Purdue University Northwest 890/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; Purdue University Northwest 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; Purdue Northwest - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027; Purdue Northwest Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at Purdue Northwest (3.19).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than Purdue Northwest (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 18.3% at Purdue Northwest.

UNK vs. Purdue Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK and Purdue Northwest? 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).

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.