Admissions Requirements

The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska has established minimum admission requirements for first-time freshman students. These requirements may not pertain to policies for transfer, international, readmission or non- degree students.

1. Assured Admission: Graduates of an accredited high school, homeschool, or the general education diploma must meet both the core course requirements and the performance requirements outlined below for assured admission.

Core Course Requirements: Students must have successfully completed 16 units of selected high school courses. A unit is equivalent to a one-year high school class.

Core Course Requirements
English 4 All units must include intensive reading and writing. 
Mathematics 3 Must include Algebra I, Algebra II and Geometry 
Social Science 3 At least one unit of American and/or World History, one additional unit of History, American Government, and/or Geography; and a third unit of any Social Science discipline or subject. 
Natural Science 3 At least two of the three units selected from biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. One of the units must include laboratory instruction. 
World Language 2 Must be two years of the same world language. Students who are unable to take two years of world language in high school may still qualify for admission. Such students will be required to take one or two semesters of world language depending on the number of units completed at the high school while at UNK.
Academic Elective 1 One unit chosen from any of the above academic disciplines. Preferably Mathematics

AND 

Performance Requirements: In addition to meeting the above core course requirements, First-Year applicants should:

  • Score 20 or higher on the ACT.
  • Or, score a total of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections.
  • Or, rank in the top half of their high school graduating class.
  • Or, have a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average.

A freshman student must complete the following requirements:

a. Application Form - complete an online application and submit the $45.00 non-refundable admissions application fee to:

     Office of Admissions
     University of Nebraska at Kearney
     2510 11th Avenue
     Kearney, NE 68849

b.  Transcripts -  A final transcript reflecting high school graduation date and a cumulative GPA is required after you have graduated. At the time of application, you will be allowed to self-report high school coursework and GPA, and encouraged to upload a sixth semester (end of junior year) transcript.

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2. Admission by Review 

Applicants who do not qualify for admission by meeting all entrance criteria may be considered for Admission by Review. Each applicant will be reviewed and considered for admission on an individual basis by a committee of university representatives. The student's cumulative high school grade point average, class rank, ACT/SAT scores and the grades received in the core course requirements are all considered a primary factor in the admission evaluation and decision. The student may be asked to provide letters of recommendation from the high school counselor or principal as well as an educational purpose statement. Students who do not meet the 16 core course requirements and/or whose high school class rank falls below the 3rd quartile will be encouraged to attend a community college to strengthen their academic record before attending UNK. UNK works closely with the local community colleges to determine courses that transfer and satisfy the admission requirements.
All students admitted under Admission by Review will be monitored for academic success until they fulfill the conditions of their admission. Students with academic course deficiencies will be required to sign an Admission by Review Agreement and make up any core course deficiencies by successfully completing an approved college-level course in each area of deficiency within the first 48 semester hours attempted at UNK. A University Foundations Class may be required for students who are admitted under Admission by Review who meet the core course requirements but do not meet performance requirements.

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3. Admission of Students with a GED (General Education Diploma)

Applicants who complete equivalent academic training such as the GED will be considered for admission under Admission by Review. Applicants should submit official transcripts reflecting all high school or post-secondary work completed and ACT or SAT results (if under the age of 21) as well as copies of GED scores and the GED certificate. Students who are admitted without completing all 16 core course requirements will be required to successfully complete an approved college-level course in each area of deficiency within their first 24 hours of enrollment at UNK. 

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4. Homeschool Students

a. Application Form - complete an online application and submit the $45.00 non-refundable admissions application fee to:

     Office of Undergraduate Recruitment and Admissions
     University of Nebraska at Kearney
     2510 11th Avenue, Kearney, NE 68849

b.  Transcripts -  A final transcript reflecting high school graduation date and a cumulative GPA is required after you have graduated. At the time of application, you will be allowed to self-report high school coursework and GPA, and encouraged to upload a sixth semester (end of junior year) transcript.

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5. Admission of Students who are over age 21
Freshman students over the age of 21 who do not meet the above requirements for admission, but present evidence of ability to do university work, may be considered for special admission. Applicants must be graduates from an accredited high school, homeschool, or have the General Education Diploma (GED). Refer to the first page for required documentation. ACT or SAT scores are NOT required. 

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6. Transfer Students
For admission to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, transfer students must:

  • Be a graduate of a regionally accredited high school, homeschool or have the general education diploma (GED).
  • Be in good standing at your previous institution(s) and have a 2.0 or above GPA. If you have completed 24 or more transferable semester hours from a regionally accredited collegiate institution following high school graduation, you are considered to have met the high school core course requirements that are required for admission.  The Office of Records and Registration will determine the number of acceptable “transferable” credit hours from your previous college(s).
  • If you have completed fewer than 24 semester hours of transferable coursework from a regionally accredited collegiate institution following high school graduation you must meet the high school core course requirements. These cover the areas of English (four years), math (three years), social studies (three years), foreign language (two years, same language), and an elective (one year). 

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Statement of Policy 

The University of Nebraska at Kearney declares and affirms a policy of equal educational and employment opportunities, affirmative action in employment, and on discrimination in providing its services to the public. Therefore, the University of Nebraska at Kearney shall not discriminate against anyone based on upon race, age, color, disability, religion, sex (including sexual harassment) sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, martial status, or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Office of Admissions
University of Nebraska at Kearney
2510 11th Avenue
Kearney, NE 68849
1-800-KEARNEY