Head-to-head · 2026
Metropolitan Community College Area vs University of Nebraska at Kearney
Compare average net price ($4,982 at Metropolitan Community College Area; $16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney), ROI score (19.46 vs 7.71), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,773 vs $50,105), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Metropolitan Community College Area; 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 | Metropolitan Community College Area | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 19.46 ✓ | 7.71 |
| Avg net price | $4,982 ✓ | $16,242 |
| 4-year avg net price | $19,928 ✓ | $64,968 |
| In-state tuition | $3,375 | $8,676 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $4,950 | $15,284 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,773 | $50,105 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 89.5% |
| Graduation rate | 29.3% | 57.7% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 60% | 80% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,217 ✓ | $19,500 |
| Enrollment | 8,775 | 4,088 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 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 | Metropolitan Community College Area | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,151 ✓ | $13,066 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,894 ✓ | $13,350 |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,150 ✓ | $14,547 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,504 ✓ | $16,703 |
| Family income $110k+ | $9,477 ✓ | $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 | Metropolitan Community College Area | University of Nebraska at Kearney |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 27.9% | 4.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.6% | 14.3% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 6.9% | 1.3% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 5% | 0.4% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.4% | 3.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.9% | 2.3% |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 0.3% | 2.1% |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 0.2% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Metropolitan Community College Area reports the lower average net price by $11,260 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $45,040 difference over four years ($19,928 vs $64,968).
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports $11,332 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,105 vs $38,773). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 60% at Metropolitan Community College Area and 80% at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Median federal debt among completers is $8,217 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
Metropolitan Community College Area vs University of Nebraska at Kearney, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Metropolitan Community College Area is cheaper — average net price $4,982 per year vs $16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney. The annual difference of $11,260 adds up to about $45,040 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,105 vs $38,773 at Metropolitan Community College Area. The gap in the federal data is $11,332. This is not major-specific earnings.
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.