UNK vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Nebraska at Kearney in Kearney, NE with Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska at Kearney is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (5,881 students vs. 5,324 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Nebraska at Kearney is located in Kearney, NE (Remote Town setting); Midwestern State University is in Wichita Falls, TX (Midsize City setting).
• University of Nebraska at Kearney is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Midwestern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Nebraska at Kearney 14:1; Midwestern State University 18:1.

UNK vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK or MSU? 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 Midwestern State University than UNK ($11,215 vs. $16,287).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Midwestern State University are 8.8% lower than at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($11,124 vs. $12,198).
• Midwestern State University is 21.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNK (about $1,904 more per year; $10,580.00 vs. $8,676.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22% higher at UNK than at Midwestern State University (about $2,754 more per year; $15,284.00 vs. $12,530.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Midwestern State University than at University of Nebraska at Kearney (92% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Midwestern State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students ($11,037 vs. $9,776).

UNK vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK or MSU? 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 MSU and UNK.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska at Kearney (1020) is 10 points higher than at MSU (1010).
• Incoming UNK students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 19 at MSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 905/1125; Midwestern State University 910/1100.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Nebraska at Kearney 19/26; Midwestern State University 16/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNK - Test optional; MSU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UNK Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNK students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.24) than students at MSU (3.2).
• MSU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than UNK (89.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.5% at UNK vs. 12.9% at MSU.

UNK vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNK and MSU? 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 Midwestern State University's (34%).
• Graduates from Midwestern State University earn a median of about $900 more per year than UNK graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,300 vs. $43,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates have a $1,049 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,250 vs. $22,299).
• Among borrowers, UNK graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($219 vs. $230).
• More UNK graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 56%)

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.