University of Nebraska at Kearney

University in Kearney, The United States

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is a public university in Kearney, Nebraska (United States), part of the University of Nebraska system since 1991. It began in 1905 as the Nebraska State Normal School and later became Nebraska State Teachers College and Kearney State College. UNK focuses on the undergraduate experience and has three colleges (Arts and Sciences, Business and Technology, and Education) with more than 150 programmes.

The offer includes 81 undergraduate majors, 32 graduate and professional majors, 23 pre-professional programmes and several certificates in science, technology, business, the arts, social sciences, humanities and education. A University of Nebraska Medical Center Health Science Education Complex on campus supports pre-med and allied health students. UNK also offers more than 50 online programme options.

Students from 56 countries enrol each year. International applicants who do not yet meet the English requirement can start at the university's English Language Institute. All full-time, degree-seeking international students on campus receive the International Loper Scholarship (US$4,797 in 2026-2027). Students can live in residence halls on campus.

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Programmes

81 undergraduate majors, 23 pre-professional programmes and 7 undergraduate certificates in three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business and Technology, and Education. Main areas:

Science and technology
Business
Arts and humanities
Social sciences
Education
Pre-med and allied health professions

Graduate programmes

More than 30 graduate programmes with over 50 options, 21 of them available online. Examples:

Master of Business Administration (MBA)
MS in Biology and in Health Sciences
MA in English, History, Public History and Public Communication
Master of Athletic Training; MAEd in Kinesiology and Sport Sciences
Counselling, speech-language pathology and school psychology (MSEd, EdS)
Education: curriculum and instruction, special education, Spanish education, music education (MAEd)

Admission

International applicants can start in fall, spring or summer and should submit a complete application about three months before the intended start, to allow time for the I-20. A decision usually follows within 7-10 business days of receiving the application, documents and fees. A financial affidavit and bank document are required before the I-20 or DS-2019 is issued. ACT or SAT scores are not required but are encouraged, as they are used for course placement, the Honors Program and merit scholarships.

Language requirements

Minimum scores for full undergraduate admission (official scores only):

TOEFL iBT 61 (old scale) or 4.0 (new scale)
IELTS 5.5
PTE 51
Duolingo 100
Cambridge B2 or higher (CAE 160), or CEFR B2

ACT English 20 or SAT critical reading 494 also meet the requirement, as does an IB Diploma with grade 5+ at Higher Level. Applicants below these levels can enrol in the English Language Institute, with a placement exam on arrival.

Fees

Estimated annual costs for international undergraduates, 2026-2027 academic year (15 credit hours per semester, double room, meal plan):

Tuition and fees: US$18,193
Housing and meal plan: US$12,294
Health insurance: US$4,577
Total: US$35,064, or US$30,267 after the International Loper Scholarship (US$4,797)

English Language Institute students: US$25,689 in total for 2026-27 (programme fees US$8,818).

Scholarships and financial aid

The International Loper Scholarship (US$4,797 per year in 2026-2027) goes to all degree-seeking international students enrolled full-time on campus and is renewable each year with a 2.5/4.0 GPA. ACT/SAT scores are also used to consider students for academic merit scholarships.