University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) vs NSU-Aberdeen
Nestled in the heart of Nebraska, the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) and Northern State University (NSU) in South Dakota stand as two distinct academic havens, each offering a unique educational experience. UNK boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a more diverse student body, while NSU maintains a smaller student population, fostering a close-knit community. Both universities excel in specific areas of study, with UNK excelling in business, education, and nursing, and NSU shining in fields like criminal justice, music, and social work. As you embark on your academic journey, explore the detailed comparison table below to uncover the nuances that set these institutions apart and guide your decision toward the university that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.
|
![]() Northern State University |
![]() University of Nebraska at Kearney |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Aberdeen, South Dakota | Kearney, Nebraska |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 68.0% | 76.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 79.8% | 90.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$20
Graduate:
$35
|
Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
|
SAT range | 1020 - 1190 | 938 - 1133 |
ACT range | 18 - 24 | 18 - 25 |
Students submitting SAT score | 5.0% | 4.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 80.0% | 86.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,229 | 6,076 |
Total number of admissions given out | 981 | 5,488 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 337 | 958 |
Yield rate | 34.4% | 17.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price |
In state:
$23,495
Out of state:
$26,597
|
In state:
$24,300
Out of state:
$30,552
|
Average net price | $16,821 | $16,433 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,616
Out of state:
$10,718
|
In state:
$6,292
Out of state:
$12,498
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,800
Meal plan:
$4,350
|
Room/dormitory:
$5,436
Meal plan:
$5,192
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
89.0%
Average amount $5,662 |
85.0%
Average amount $7,441 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $4,850 |
45.0%
Average amount $4,821 |
Students taking out private loans |
10.0%
Average amount $9,043 |
5.0%
Average amount $9,368 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
2,867
Men 40.6% Women 59.4% |
4,427
Men 37.7% Women 62.3% |
Graduate students |
473
Men 26.6% Women 73.4% |
1,848
Men 30.2% Women 69.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 38.9% | 9.9% |
International students | 2.1% | 4.2% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 853 | 2,072 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | South Dakota Minnesota North Dakota Iowa Wisconsin | Nebraska Colorado Kansas Iowa Wyoming |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 47.6% | 58.0% |
Dropout rate | 25.4% | 11.4% |
Transferred out | 22.9% | 28.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
|
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
Biology, General (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
Agricultural Business and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.








































































































































































































