VSU vs. UNK

Comparable Facts

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

Valdosta State University is larger than UNK based on total student enrollment (10,262 students vs. 5,881 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Valdosta State University is located in Valdosta, GA (Small City setting); University of Nebraska at Kearney is in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting).
• Valdosta State University 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: Valdosta State University 17:1; University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1.

VSU vs. UNK Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, VSU 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 Valdosta State University than UNK ($11,144 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Valdosta State University are 21.9% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,530 vs. $12,198).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is 41.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than VSU (about $2,552 more per year; $8,676.00 vs. $6,124.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at VSU than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $2,552 more per year; $17,836.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Valdosta State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (93% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Valdosta State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($10,206 vs. $9,776).

VSU vs. UNK Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, VSU 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 VSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 10 points higher than at VSU (1010).
• Incoming UNK students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at VSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valdosta State University 920/1100; University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Valdosta State University 16/22; University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: VSU - Required; UNK - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: VSU Jun 15, 2027; UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at VSU (3.23).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than VSU (72.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 26% at VSU vs. 18.5% at UNK.

VSU vs. UNK Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for VSU 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 Valdosta State University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than VSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $3,750 lower median loan debt than VSU graduates ($21,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than VSU graduates ($219 vs. $258).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 41%)

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.