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 logo

Northern State University

University of Nebraska at Kearney logo

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%
Common app member 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
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

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
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Liberal Arts
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)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: $49,248
Student Counseling and Personnel Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $44,021
  • Year 3: $46,732
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,902
  • Year 2: $42,682
  • Year 3: $46,239
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $43,575
  • Year 3: $45,796
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,996
  • Year 2: $40,728
  • Year 3: $45,442
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,033
  • Year 2: $39,523
  • Year 3: $39,953
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,526
  • Year 2: $35,060
  • Year 3: $39,845
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $39,862
  • Year 2: $38,289
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $20,824
  • Year 3: N/A
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $38,740
  • Year 2: $34,526
  • Year 3: N/A
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,208
  • Year 2: $58,479
  • Year 3: $63,133
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $48,641
  • Year 3: $54,125
Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,040
  • Year 2: $52,607
  • Year 3: $53,723
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,490
  • Year 2: $48,302
  • Year 3: $53,277
Biology, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,246
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $52,603
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,894
  • Year 2: $45,618
  • Year 3: $52,491
Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,665
  • Year 2: $48,432
  • Year 3: $51,898
Agricultural Business and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,654
  • Year 2: $38,829
  • Year 3: $51,703
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,159
  • Year 2: $49,464
  • Year 3: $51,277
Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,157
  • Year 2: $45,500
  • Year 3: $49,659

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