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GPRRAMKearneyPhoto: MMarshall at English Wikipedia · Public domain
Colleges in and near Kearney

Kearney is home to University of Nebraska at Kearney

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (3,642 students on campus) is inside the city. About 14% of Kearney’s residents are enrolled in college, above Nebraska (7%).

University of Nebraska at Kearney

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Kearney. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
1
3,642 students on campus
Nearest college
0.9 mi
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Residents in college
14%
Above NE (7%)
Nearest community college
39.3 mi
Central · $3,360 tuition
Nearest public university
0.9 mi
University of Nebraska at Kearney · $8,676 in-state
Median household income
$70K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Kearney

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

A university in KearneyThe University of Nebraska at Kearney has 3,642 students on campus in Kearney, 58% of whom graduate within six years.In-state price at University of Nebraska at KearneyLiving in Nebraska, the University of Nebraska at Kearney charges $8,676 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $15,284. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 39.3 miles awayCentral Community College in Grand Island: tuition and fees $3,360 a year for Nebraska residents.Students are 14% of residentsAbove Nebraska (7%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Kearney

It is public. Every other college is more than 15 miles from Kearney.

5 mi10 mi15 miUniversity of Nebraska at KearneyKearney
University or collegeCommunity college
University of Nebraska at KearneyUniversity or college · Public · 3,642 on campus · In Kearney89%admitted$16knet price58%graduate$50kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Kearney’s median household income ($69,724) falls.

University of Nebraska at KearneyIn Kearney · sticker $25,808$14,547a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Kearney: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →University of Nebraska at Kearney
University of Nebraska at Kearney58% graduate$50k earnings$20k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Kearney

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field at University of Nebraska at Kearney, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 22%Education 16%Health professions 8%Parks & recreation 6%Liberal arts 6%Psychology 5%Everything else 38%

Biggest programs

Business Administration, Management and Operations157 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods124 graduates a year
$42k4 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions49 graduates a year
$77k4 yrs out
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies45 graduates a year
$55k4 yrs out
Social Work44 graduates a year
$53k4 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities42 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Biology, General42 graduates a year
$67k4 yrs out
Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies30 graduates a year
$50k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Kearney

Is Kearney a college town?

No. About 14 of every 100 Kearney residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Nebraska (7). The largest campus in the city, the University of Nebraska at Kearney, has 3,642 students on campus.

What colleges are in Kearney?

The University of Nebraska at Kearney is inside the city. Central Community College is 39.3 miles away in Grand Island.

What is the closest community college to Kearney, and what does it cost?

Central Community College in Grand Island, 39.3 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,360 a year for Nebraska residents; the federal net price, $7,024, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does the University of Nebraska at Kearney cost if we live in Nebraska?

Tuition and fees are $8,676 a year in-state and $15,284 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $13,066 (under $30,000 income) to $20,664 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Kearney. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →