University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Nebraska at Omaha at a Glance
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is a public research university in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded in 1908 by faculty from the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary as a private non-sectarian college, the university was originally known as the University of Omaha. Originally meant to provide a Christian-based education free from ecclesiastical control, the university served as a strong alternative to the city's many successful religiously-affiliated institutions.
1908
118 years old
$110M
$110 million
15,058
12,488 undergrad · 3,038 grad
1,069
534 acres
Identity
Is University of Nebraska at Omaha Worth It?
University of Nebraska at Omaha offers moderate value at $13,441/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $53,909, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 47% 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.
How University of Nebraska at Omaha compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #63 of 154 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 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #5 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #6 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #63 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | 47 | $13,441 | $53,909 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Nebraska at Omaha's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Nebraska at Omaha
The highest-earning program at University of Nebraska at Omaha is Computer Science at $65,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Psychology, General at $26,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Science graduate from University of Nebraska at Omaha earns $65,200, while a Psychology, General graduate earns $26,500. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Science graduates carry $17,750 in median debt vs. $18,468 for Psychology, General.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,441/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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $65,200 | $65,200 | $17,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $57,500 | $57,500 | $17,688 |
| Construction Management | $57,100 | $57,100 | $25,056 |
| Information Science/Studies | $53,100 | $53,100 | $19,050 |
| Air Transportation | $42,800 | $42,800 | $17,958 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $42,800 | $42,800 | $20,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $40,300 | $40,300 | $22,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,200 | $37,200 | $20,376 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $36,800 | $36,800 | $23,411 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,900 | $35,900 | $18,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $34,800 | $34,800 | $19,893 |
| Sociology | $33,800 | $33,800 | $22,491 |
| Public Health | $33,800 | $33,800 | $25,132 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,100 | $33,100 | $19,585 |
| Biology, General | $32,800 | $32,800 | $22,487 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $32,200 | $32,200 | $22,115 |
| History | $31,800 | $31,800 | $22,419 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $31,200 | $31,200 | $19,000 |
| Social Work | $31,200 | $31,200 | $16,000 |
| Journalism | $30,700 | $30,700 | $22,704 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $30,000 | $30,000 | $22,981 |
| International/Global Studies | $28,100 | $28,100 | $15,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $27,000 | $27,000 | $20,302 |
| Psychology, General | $26,500 | $26,500 | $18,468 |
Similar Colleges in NE
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Omaha, NE
- Student Body
- 11,488 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 47%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,441
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $53,909
- Median Student Debt
- $19,000