University of Nebraska at Kearney campus

UNK Admission Requirements

6/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Kearney, NE
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#2 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

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UNK Admission Overview

UNK admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UNK admitted 89.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.24 GPA (B+) and SAT 905-1125 / ACT 19-26. UNK is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNK is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNK Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

89.5%

Admission Standards

Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UNK acceptance rate is 89.5%. Last year, 4,728 of 5,283 applicants were admitted. That is the 14th lowest acceptance rate in Nebraska.

Admission Selectivity

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

UNK is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of Nebraska at Kearney typically 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. 19% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNK GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.24

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.24

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UNK typically have around a 3.24 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have about average high school grades. UNK is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #14 in Nebraska for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.2 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of Nebraska at Kearney freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UNK SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

905-1125

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 495
Math 410
Composite 905

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 575
Math 550
Composite 1125

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UNK typically score around a 1020 SAT (middle 50% 905–1125) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 43rd percentile nationally. UNK ranks #8 in the state of Nebraska for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 905 to 1125

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

UNK is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1020 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Nebraska at Kearney
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1125+	Above 75th	>94%
1020 to 1125	Avg +	89%-94%
905 to 1020	Avg -	81%-89%
Below 905	Below mid-50	<81%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNK ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

82%

25th Percentile Scores

English 18
Math 17
Composite 19

75th Percentile Scores

English 25
Math 25
Composite 26

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UNK typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UNK places #7 among colleges in Nebraska for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to UNK without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Nebraska at Kearney
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
26+	Above 75th	>94%
22 to 26	Avg +	89%-94%
19 to 22	Avg -	82%-89%
Below 19	Below mid-50	<82%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UNK chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Nebraska at Kearney admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	3,144	2,139	5,283
Accepted	2,899	1,829	4,728
Acceptance Rate	92%	86%	89%
Enrolled	529	346	875
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	18%	19%	19%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

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
Requirement	Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

348

Applicants have 348 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Aug 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Nebraska at Kearney
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UNK is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 89.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.24 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (905-1125); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025