University of West Alabama vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

Compare University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL with University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of West Alabama is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (6,820 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of West Alabama is located in Livingston, AL (Remote Rural setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama 19:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

University of West Alabama vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama than UNK ($13,954 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of West Alabama are 32.5% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,230 vs. $12,198).
• University of West Alabama is 26.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $2,314 more per year; $10,990.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at University of West Alabama than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $4,806 more per year; $20,090.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of West Alabama than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 8.2% larger than aid received by University of West Alabama students ($9,776 vs. $9,037).

University of West Alabama vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, University of West Alabama 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 University of West Alabama.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 30 points higher than at University of West Alabama (990).
• Incoming UNK students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 18 at University of West Alabama).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 860/1120; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of West Alabama 16/21; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: University of West Alabama - Test optional; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of West Alabama Aug 10, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at University of West Alabama (3.16).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than University of West Alabama (42.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at University of West Alabama vs. 18.5% at UNK.

University of West Alabama vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for University of West Alabama 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 West Alabama's (28%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $4,900 more per year than University of West Alabama graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $38,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $5,239 lower median loan debt than University of West Alabama graduates ($21,250 vs. $26,489).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of West Alabama graduates ($219 vs. $273).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of West Alabama students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 36%)

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.