Lincoln, NE · Private University
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$56,887
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$10,108
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$27,748
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$110,992
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
2.05x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
5.1 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
65.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$21,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,424
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates earn $11,887 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Nebraska-Lincoln ranked by graduate earnings
27 graduates
44 graduates
87 graduates
34 graduates
32 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Engineering: $95,354) and the lowest (Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies: $30,046) is $65,308/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer EngineeringBest ROI | $95,354 | 3.4x |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $94,637 | 3.4x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $86,925 | 3.1x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $86,880 | 3.1x |
| Chemical Engineering | $80,864 | 2.9x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $79,668 | 2.9x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $77,056 | 2.8x |
| Agricultural Engineering(1yr data) | $73,907 | 2.7x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $69,641 | 2.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $69,161 | 2.5x |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $69,020 | 2.5x |
| Mathematics | $63,798 | 2.3x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $62,681 | 2.3x |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $59,372 | 2.1x |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | $58,687 | 2.1x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $58,205 | 2.1x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,735 | 2.1x |
| Interior Architecture | $55,806 | 2.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $55,234 | 2.0x |
| Architecture | $54,925 | 2.0x |
| Marketing | $54,532 | 2.0x |
| Political Science and Government | $54,001 | 1.9x |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $53,788 | 1.9x |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $53,633 | 1.9x |
| Plant Sciences | $52,809 | 1.9x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $51,687 | 1.9x |
| Classical and Ancient Studies | $51,424 | 1.9x |
| Sociology | $50,722 | 1.8x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $49,245 | 1.8x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $48,456 | 1.8x |
| International/Global Studies | $48,345 | 1.7x |
| Security Science and Technology | $48,278 | 1.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $47,880 | 1.7x |
| Biology, General | $47,674 | 1.7x |
| Physics(1yr data) | $47,670 | 1.7x |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | $47,645 | 1.7x |
| International Business | $45,593 | 1.6x |
| Psychology, General | $45,176 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $45,034 | 1.6x |
| Journalism | $44,828 | 1.6x |
| Special Education and Teaching | $44,358 | 1.6x |
| Apparel and Textiles | $43,742 | 1.6x |
| Agriculture, General(1yr data) | $43,669 | 1.6x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $43,527 | 1.6x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $42,896 | 1.6x |
| Animal Sciences | $42,640 | 1.5x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $40,792 | 1.5x |
| History | $40,161 | 1.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $39,853 | 1.4x |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $39,428 | 1.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts(1yr data) | $38,585 | 1.4x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $35,926 | 1.3x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $33,169 | 1.2x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts(1yr data) | $31,172 | 1.1x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesLowest | $30,046 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 2.05x | $56,887 | Strong ROI |
| University of Iowa | 1.97x | $64,762 | Good ROI |
| Iowa State University | 2.29x | $63,386 | Strong ROI |
| Kansas State University | 2.06x | $57,262 | Strong ROI |
| Michigan State University | 1.55x | $67,253 | Good ROI |
| University of Kansas | 2.11x | $61,945 | Strong ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Nebraska-Lincoln stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $56,887 10 years after starting — $11,887 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 5.1 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.