Head-to-head · 2026
University of Nebraska at Kearney vs Wayne State College
Compare average net price ($16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney; $15,360 at Wayne State College), ROI score (7.71 vs 7.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,105 vs $47,075), and admissions context (89.5% at University of Nebraska at Kearney; Open / not reported at Wayne State College) 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 | Wayne State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.71 ✓ | 7.66 |
| Avg net price | $16,242 | $15,360 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $64,968 | $61,440 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,676 | $8,216 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,284 | $8,216 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,105 ✓ | $47,075 |
| Acceptance rate | 89.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 57.7% ✓ | 52.2% |
| Retention rate | 80% ✓ | 72.4% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $19,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,088 | 3,010 |
| 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 | University of Nebraska at Kearney | Wayne State College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,066 | $12,844 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,350 | $11,698 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,547 | $13,851 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,703 ✓ | $16,841 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,664 | $18,905 ✓ |
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 | Wayne State College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.3% | 19.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8% | 5.8% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 5.4% | 8.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 6.6% | 6.8% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 3.7% | 8.1% |
| Biology, General | 8.9% | 2.7% |
| Special Education and Teaching | 4% | 4.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.3% | 6.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Wayne State College reports the lower average net price by $882 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,528 difference over four years ($61,440 vs $64,968).
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports $3,030 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,105 vs $47,075). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 80% at University of Nebraska at Kearney and 72.4% at Wayne State College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $19,000, 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
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Frequently asked
University of Nebraska at Kearney vs Wayne State College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Wayne State College is cheaper — average net price $15,360 per year vs $16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney. The annual difference of $882 adds up to about $3,528 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 $47,075 at Wayne State College. The gap in the federal data is $3,030. 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.