UNK vs. NDSU

Should I go to University of Nebraska at Kearney or North Dakota State University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UNK or NDSU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Nebraska at Kearney vs. North Dakota State University Main Campus comparison
University of Nebraska at Kearney North Dakota State University Main Campus College 3 College 4
University of Nebraska at Kearney North Dakota State University Main Campus
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Overview

UNK NDSU
Location Kearney, NE Fargo, ND
Setting Remote Town Midsize City
Enrollment 6,041 12,242
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #571 #568
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website unk.edu ndsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UNK NDSU
Tuition (In State) $6,220 $9,309
Tuition (Out of State) $12,036 $13,963
Room & Board $11,390 $9,300
Avg Net Price $16,564 $15,962
Avg Grant Aid $7,282 $5,732
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 77%

Admission

UNK NDSU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 6,794 8,535
Admitted 5,842 8,166
Acceptance Rate 86% 95.7%
Enrolled % 14.8% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.24 3.53
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Easy Moderate
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 19/25 19/25
SAT Range 1000/1200 968/1216
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 15, 2024 Aug 1, 2024

Academics

UNK NDSU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (24%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (6%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (19%)
  • Engineering (14%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Agriculture (8%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

UNK NDSU
Graduation Rate 61% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $43,400 $53,600
Making Student Loan Payments 71% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,250 $23,300
Median Loan Payment $219 $240

Diversity

UNK NDSU
% Men 34% 49%
% Women 66% 51%
Racial Diversity Low Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 79% 86%
% Black 2% 3%
% Hispanic 11% 2%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 2%
% International 5% 3%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

UNK NDSU
% In-State 85% 35%
% Out-of-State 11% 65%

Campus

UNK NDSU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is larger than than UNK based on total student enrollment (12,242 students vs. 6,041 students)

UNK vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNK or NDSU?

  • North Dakota State University Main Campus is 49.7% more expensive to attend than UNK for in-state tuition ($9,309.00 vs. $6,220.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 16% higher at NDSU than University of Nebraska at Kearney ($13,963.00 vs. $12,036.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at North Dakota State University Main Campus than UNK ($15,962 vs. $16,564)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 22.5% lower than costs at University of Nebraska at Kearney ($9,300 vs. $11,390)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Nebraska at Kearney than North Dakota State University Main Campus (100% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska at Kearney students is 27% larger than aid received North Dakota State University Main Campus ($7,282 vs. $5,732)

UNK vs. NDSU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNK or NDSU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between NDSU or UNK .

  • The average SAT score at North Dakota State University Main Campus (1091) is 42 points higher than at UNK (1049)
  • Incoming NDSU students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (24) than students at UNK (23)
  • Accepted freshman NDSU students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at UNK (3.24)
  • NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95.7%) than UNK (86%)

UNK vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UNK or NDSU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between NDSU and UNK.

  • The graduation rate at UNK is higher than North Dakota State University Main Campus (61% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus earn on average $10,200 more per year than UNK graduates after ten years. ($53,600 vs. $43,400)
  • University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with a $2,050 lower median federal student loan debt than NDSU graduates. ($21,250 vs. $23,300)
  • UNK graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than NDSU graduates. ($219 vs. $240)
  • More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNK students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 71%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/