Head-to-head · 2026
University of Nebraska at Kearney vs Western Nebraska Community College
Compare average net price ($16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney; $5,474 at Western Nebraska Community College), ROI score (7.71 vs 17.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,105 vs $38,729), and admissions context (89.5% at University of Nebraska at Kearney; Open / not reported at Western Nebraska Community 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 | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.71 | 17.69 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,242 | $5,474 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $64,968 | $21,896 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,676 | $3,840 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,284 | $4,410 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,105 ✓ | $38,729 |
| Acceptance rate | 89.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 57.7% ✓ | 36.6% |
| Retention rate | 80% ✓ | 52.8% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,088 | 893 |
| 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 | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,066 | $4,420 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,350 | $3,808 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,547 | $7,099 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $16,703 | $9,904 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,664 | $11,714 ✓ |
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 | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.3% | 12.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 4.8% | 8.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 8% | 3.6% |
| Biology, General | 8.9% | 0.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 6.6% | 1.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 3.3% | 4.9% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.3% | 3.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.3% | 1.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Nebraska Community College reports the lower average net price by $10,768 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $43,072 difference over four years ($21,896 vs $64,968).
University of Nebraska at Kearney reports $11,376 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,105 vs $38,729). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 80% at University of Nebraska at Kearney and 52.8% at Western Nebraska Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $9,000, 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 Western Nebraska Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Nebraska Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,474 per year vs $16,242 at University of Nebraska at Kearney. The annual difference of $10,768 adds up to about $43,072 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 $38,729 at Western Nebraska Community College. The gap in the federal data is $11,376. 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.