Head-to-head · 2026
College of Saint Mary vs University of Nebraska at Kearney
Compare average net price ($16,590 at College of Saint Mary; $16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney), ROI score (8.19 vs 7.71), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,338 vs $50,105), and admissions selectivity (44.7% acceptance at College of Saint Mary; 89.5% at University of Nebraska at Kearney) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | College of Saint Mary | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.19 ✓ | 7.71 |
| Avg net price | $16,590 | $16,242 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,360 | $64,968 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $24,510 | $8,676 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,510 | $15,284 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,338 ✓ | $50,105 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.7% | 89.5% |
| Graduation rate | 60.5% ✓ | 57.7% |
| Retention rate | 79.8% | 80% ✓ |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $19,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 445 | 4,088 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | 1118 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | College of Saint Mary | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,090 | $13,066 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,713 ✓ | $13,350 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,320 ✓ | $14,547 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,242 ✓ | $16,703 |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,898 | $20,664 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | College of Saint Mary | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.7% | 14.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.7% | 8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.5% | 3.3% |
| Biology, General | 2.1% | 8.9% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.2% | 4.8% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 3.2% | 3.7% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 0.3% | 6.6% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 1.8% | 4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports the lower average net price by $348 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,392 difference over four years ($64,968 vs $66,360).
College of Saint Mary reports $4,233 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,338 vs $50,105). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.8% at College of Saint Mary and 80% at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Median federal debt among completers is $24,250 vs $19,500, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
College of Saint Mary vs University of Nebraska at Kearney, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Nebraska at Kearney is cheaper — average net price $16,242 per year vs $16,590 at College of Saint Mary. The annual difference of $348 adds up to about $1,392 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of Saint Mary reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,338 vs $50,105 at University of Nebraska at Kearney. The gap in the federal data is $4,233. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
College of Saint Mary is more selective at 44.7% acceptance vs 89.5% at University of Nebraska at Kearney.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.