Union Adventist University
Union Adventist University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Union Adventist University at a Glance
Union Adventist University is a private college in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. Known as Union College from 1891 to May 5, 2024, it is owned and operated by the Mid-America Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is accredited by the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA) and the Higher Learning Commission. It is a part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system.
1891
135 years old
705
58
50 acres
Identity
Is Union Adventist University Worth It?
At a value score of 28/100, Union Adventist University is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $55,045 — 2% above average — while paying $23,716/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 49% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 5 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
With a 100% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Union Adventist University has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Union Adventist University compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #13 of 40 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 | Albizu University-San Juan | 73 | $9,732 | $41,544 |
| #2 | Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences | 59 | $19,390 | $60,918 |
| #3 | Pillar College | 49 | $8,470 | $45,577 |
| #4 | Monmouth College | 46 | $17,133 | $51,110 |
| #5 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43 | $15,488 | $57,556 |
| #6 | Randolph College | 41 | $15,921 | $53,409 |
| #13 | Union Adventist University | 28 | $23,716 | $55,045 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of Union Adventist University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Union Adventist University
The highest-earning program at Union Adventist University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $59,600/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Business Administration, Management and Operations at $33,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from Union Adventist University earns $59,600, while a Business Administration, Management and Operations graduate earns $33,300. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $29,728 in median debt vs. $26,436 for Business Administration, Management and Operations.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,716/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $59,600 | $59,600 | $29,728 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $33,300 | $33,300 | $26,436 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
- Student Body
- 471 students
- Admission Rate
- 100%
- Graduation Rate
- 49%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,716
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,045
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000