Chadron State College
Chadron State College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Chadron State College at a Glance
Chadron State College (CSC) is a public college in Chadron, Nebraska, United States. It is one of three public colleges in the Nebraska State College System. The school opened in June 1911 and has an enrollment of about 2,200 students.
1911
115 years old
2,098
1,690 undergrad · 408 grad
281 acres
Identity
Is Chadron State College Worth It?
Chadron State College offers moderate value at $12,549/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $47,002, which is 13% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 44% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Chadron State College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #51 of 128 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #5 | New College of Florida | 100 | $7,195 | $48,082 |
| #6 | Florida Gateway College | 97 | $5,364 | $37,894 |
| #51 | Chadron State College | 41 | $12,549 | $47,002 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Chadron State College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NE.
Best Programs at Chadron State College
The highest-earning program at Chadron State College is Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas at $38,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Criminal Justice and Corrections at $28,100/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduate from Chadron State College earns $38,600, while a Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate earns $28,100. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas graduates carry $24,929 in median debt vs. $23,500 for Criminal Justice and Corrections.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $12,549/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,600 | $38,600 | $24,929 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $35,800 | $35,800 | $22,657 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $34,800 | $34,800 | $19,268 |
| Plant Sciences | $30,000 | $30,000 | $18,625 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other | $29,500 | $29,500 | $21,832 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,100 | $28,100 | $23,500 |
Similar Colleges in NE
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Chadron, NE
- Student Body
- 1,540 students
- Graduation Rate
- 44%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $12,549
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $47,002
- Median Student Debt
- $18,875