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#2 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

UNK Admission Requirements

Kearney, Nebraska

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Your chances of getting into University of Nebraska at Kearney

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

86%
Admission Difficulty for University of Nebraska at Kearney
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UNK is 86%.  Its admission rate is the 13th lowest in Nebraska.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UNK and can you get accepted?

University of Nebraska at Kearney is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 5,842 out of the 6,794 who applied were admitted.

University of Nebraska at Kearney typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.24. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UNK?

86% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Nebraska at Kearney you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.24 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1100 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

UNK GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.24

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into University of Nebraska at Kearney?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UNK are to have around a 3.24 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.24 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as UNK accepts 86% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UNK is 3.24 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #14 in Nebraska for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UNK is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Nebraska at Kearney students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 18.25% Good
3.75 to 3.99 24.26% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 18.14% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 9.18% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 10.13% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 13.71% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 5.38% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.95% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UNK SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Nebraska at Kearney. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 4% of students submitted SAT scores and 85% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1000-1200

Applicants Submitting SAT 

4%
SAT Scores for University of Nebraska at Kearney
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 490
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1000
SAT Scores for University of Nebraska at Kearney
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 600
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1200
Average SAT Score 1100

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Nebraska at Kearney?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UNK is 1100 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1000-1200. Students who get into University of Nebraska at Kearney score in the top 60 percent of all SAT test takers..  UNK ranks #5 in the state of Nebraska for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1100 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UNK regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1000 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1000, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 900, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Nebraska at Kearney is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1100 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1100, you have around a 86% chance of being admitted. A 1200 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

University of Nebraska at Kearney admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1200 and Above Good >92%
1100 to 1200 Avg + 86%-92%
1000 to 1100 Avg - 76%-86%
900 to 1000 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 900 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

UNK ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-25 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

85%
ACT Scores for University of Nebraska at Kearney
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for University of Nebraska at Kearney
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 25
Composite 75th Percentile 25
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UNK?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UNK is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 25.  The school ranks #7 in Nebraska for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 85 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Nebraska at Kearney is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UNK for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 86% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 25 ACT score.

University of Nebraska at Kearney admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
25 and Above Good >92%
22 to 25 Avg + 86%-92%
19 to 22 Avg - 76%-86%
16 to 19 Reach 63%-76%
Less than 16 Low <63%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

74% of University of Nebraska at Kearney freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 43% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Nebraska at Kearney students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18%
Top 25% of class 43%
Top 50% of class 74%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Nebraska at Kearney admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,016 2,770 6,794
Accepted 3,541 2,295 5,842
Acceptance Rate 88% 83% 86%
Enrolled 545 318 863
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 15% 14% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

233

Applicants have 233 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Nebraska at Kearney is $45.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Nebraska at Kearney and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Nebraska at Kearney Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Nebraska at Kearney
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Nebraska at Kearney is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.24 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1100 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Nebraska at Kearney often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=181215 IPEDS survey data for University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Last updated February 24, 2024