UNK vs. ECU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE with East Central University in Ada, OK on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than ECU based on total student enrollment (5,881 students vs. 3,377 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); East Central University is in Ada, OK (Remote Town setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. East Central University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; East Central University 18:1.

UNK vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK or ECU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than UNK ($8,565 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 30.2% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($8,516 vs. $12,198).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECU (about $644 more per year; $8,676.00 vs. $8,032.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at ECU than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (about $2,558 more per year; $17,842.00 vs. $15,284.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at East Central University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (91% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 5.6% larger than aid received by East Central University students ($9,776 vs. $9,255).

UNK vs. ECU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK or ECU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ECU and UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 10 points higher than at ECU (1010).
• Incoming UNK students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at ECU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; East Central University 900/1120.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; East Central University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; ECU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at UNK (3.24).
• UNK has a higher acceptance rate (89.5%) than ECU (58.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 42.4% at ECU.

UNK vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK and ECU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Nebraska at Kearney's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than East Central University's (34%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska at Kearney earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than ECU graduates about ten years after starting college ($43,400 vs. $40,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, East Central University graduates have a $4,372 lower median loan debt than UNK graduates ($16,878 vs. $21,250).
• Among borrowers, ECU graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNK graduates ($174 vs. $219).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.