University of Nebraska-Lincoln
University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln at a Glance
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a public land-grant research university in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States. Chartered in 1869 by the Nebraska Legislature as part of the Morrill Act of 1862, the school was the University of Nebraska until 1968, when it absorbed the Municipal University of Omaha to form the University of Nebraska system. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship institution of the state-wide system.
1869
157 years old
$2.7B
$2.72 billion (2025) (system-wide)
23,954
19,376 undergrad · 4,578 grad
1,840
856 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Official admissions page$45
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln Worth It?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers moderate value at $17,747/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $56,887, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How University of Nebraska-Lincoln compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #44 of 91 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 | California State University-Fresno | 100 | $7,000 | $61,244 |
| #4 | California State University-Los Angeles | 100 | $3,967 | $59,211 |
| #5 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #6 | Santa Ana College | 100 | $3,133 | $43,552 |
| #44 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | 53 | $17,747 | $56,887 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Nebraska-Lincoln's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NE.
Best Programs at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The highest-earning program at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is Computer Engineering at $71,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Music at $23,200/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Engineering graduate from University of Nebraska-Lincoln earns $71,200, while a Music graduate earns $23,200. 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 Engineering graduates carry $22,500 in median debt vs. $19,850 for Music.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,747/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 Engineering | $71,200 | $71,200 | $22,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $65,100 | $65,100 | $21,914 |
| Chemical Engineering | $64,900 | $64,900 | $18,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,800 | $64,800 | $20,716 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $64,400 | $64,400 | $21,750 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $60,300 | $60,300 | $20,119 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies | $57,800 | $57,800 | $24,750 |
| Civil Engineering | $55,700 | $55,700 | $17,000 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | $52,100 | $52,100 | $21,375 |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | $45,500 | $45,500 | $21,893 |
| Marketing | $43,300 | $43,300 | $20,889 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $42,700 | $42,700 | $25,000 |
| Agricultural Business and Management | $42,600 | $42,600 | $17,321 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $41,700 | $41,700 | $21,500 |
| Plant Sciences | $41,200 | $41,200 | $20,056 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,000 | $41,000 | $19,800 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $38,800 | $38,800 | $25,125 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $38,200 | $38,200 | $23,280 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $38,200 | $38,200 | $23,755 |
| Mathematics | $37,400 | $37,400 | $21,375 |
| Business/Managerial Economics | $37,000 | $37,000 | $19,437 |
| Interior Architecture | $36,800 | $36,800 | $26,710 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,600 | $36,600 | $23,748 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $35,000 | $35,000 | $23,620 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $34,700 | $34,700 | $22,752 |
| Animal Sciences | $34,600 | $34,600 | $19,316 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,600 | $34,600 | $19,725 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $33,500 | $33,500 | $23,000 |
| Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services | $33,000 | $33,000 | $21,272 |
| Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies | $31,800 | $31,800 | $23,058 |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | $31,500 | $31,500 | $23,971 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $31,400 | $31,400 | $14,500 |
| Psychology, General | $31,100 | $31,100 | $22,642 |
| Journalism | $30,200 | $30,200 | $22,508 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $30,000 | $30,000 | $21,465 |
| Sociology | $29,700 | $29,700 | $22,914 |
| History | $29,500 | $29,500 | $23,575 |
| Biology, General | $29,300 | $29,300 | $22,853 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,000 | $29,000 | $19,565 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $27,200 | $27,200 | $20,516 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $26,200 | $26,200 | $20,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $25,900 | $25,900 | $22,104 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,000 | $25,000 | $20,429 |
| International/Global Studies | $24,000 | $24,000 | $20,700 |
| Music | $23,200 | $23,200 | $19,850 |
Similar Colleges in NE
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
- Student Body
- 19,178 students
- Admission Rate
- 87%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,747
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $56,887
- Median Student Debt
- $21,000