At $16,488/yr net price, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates earn $50,105/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,105/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,488 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $65,952 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,105/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,105/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,187/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,627/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,549/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,575/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,731/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $58,479 | $26,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $53,358 | |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $52,607 | $14,388 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $50,606 | $38,500 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Certificate | $50,606 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $50,439 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $49,464 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Bachelor | $48,641 | $24,989 |
| Biology, General. | Master | $48,432 | $32,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Master | $48,432 | $25,237 |
The Risk Factor
59.8% of students at University of Nebraska at Kearney graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
University of Nebraska at Kearney gives you a low-cost degree with a moderate payoff. You graduate with median debt under $20,000, well below what your first-year earnings can cover. The trade-off is that median earnings ten years out sit close to $50,000, so this is a school that keeps your costs down rather than pushing your income high.
Your major decides a lot here. Computer and Information Sciences pays the most and comes with debt in line with everything else, making it the clearest financial win on campus. Business Administration lands in the middle but carries the lowest debt of any listed program, so your return per dollar borrowed is strong. Allied Health pays more than teaching but comes with the highest debt at nearly $25,000. The two education tracks, subject-area teaching and special education, sit at the bottom for pay while still adding debt near $19,000. If you go into teaching at UNK, you accept a low ceiling.
The main risk is completion. A 59.8% graduation rate and 76.6% retention mean a real share of you leave without a degree, and debt without a diploma is the worst outcome here. Guard against that before you enroll.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $13,000 a year. Cross $75,000 and your price jumps to roughly $18,500, then past $20,000 above $110,000. UNK is a strong fit if you qualify for the lower tiers and pick a paying major. If your family sits in the top income bracket and you want to teach, the math gets thin, and you should compare costs elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney worth the cost?
UNK offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $16,488 annually and moderate debt levels at $19,500. However, the 10-year median earnings of $50,105 and 59.8% graduation rate suggest mixed returns on investment.
What are the best paying majors at University of Nebraska at Kearney?
Educational Administration leads UNK's earnings at $58,479, followed by Computer Science at $53,358. Most other top programs cluster around $50,000-$52,000, which is reasonable but not exceptional for the region.
How much debt do University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have?
UNK graduates carry a median debt of $19,500, which is below the national average. This manageable debt load helps offset the school's modest earning potential for most graduates.
Does University of Nebraska at Kearney have good job placement?
With a 59.8% graduation rate and 10-year earnings around $50,000, UNK shows average outcomes. The school works best for education and regional careers, but students seeking higher-paying fields may find better options elsewhere.