Head-to-head · 2026
University of Nebraska at Kearney vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Compare average net price ($16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney; $17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln), ROI score (7.71 vs 8.01), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,105 vs $56,887), and admissions selectivity (89.5% acceptance at University of Nebraska at Kearney; 87.5% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln) 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 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.71 | 8.01 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,242 ✓ | $17,747 |
| 4-year avg net price | $64,968 ✓ | $70,988 |
| In-state tuition | $8,676 | $10,434 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,284 | $28,584 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,105 | $56,887 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 89.5% | 87.5% |
| Graduation rate | 57.7% | 67% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 80% | 86% ✓ |
| Median debt | $19,500 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 4,088 | 19,178 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1118 | 1191 |
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 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,066 | $12,751 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,350 | $13,054 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,547 ✓ | $14,699 |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,703 ✓ | $18,975 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,664 ✓ | $22,346 |
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 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.3% | 8.8% |
| Biology, General | 8.9% | 2.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8% | 1.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 6.6% | 2.9% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 5.4% | 0.7% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 3.7% | 1.3% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 4% | 0.9% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4.8% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports the lower average net price by $1,505 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,020 difference over four years ($64,968 vs $70,988).
University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports $6,782 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($56,887 vs $50,105). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 80% at University of Nebraska at Kearney and 86% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $21,000, 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
University of Nebraska at Kearney vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 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 $17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The annual difference of $1,505 adds up to about $6,020 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $56,887 vs $50,105 at University of Nebraska at Kearney. The gap in the federal data is $6,782. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln is more selective at 87.5% 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.