College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges in Nebraska
The Nebraska College ROI Report provides useful information for students and parents who are looking for Nebraska colleges that provide the highest return on their educational investments.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name: Bellevue University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$501,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$93,200 | Graduation Rate:41% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$21,400 |
| Rank:2 | School Name: University of Nebraska-Lincoln (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$475,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$105,000 | Graduation Rate:65% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$26,200 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: | 20 Year Net ROI:$443,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$130,000 | Graduation Rate:72% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$24,500 |
| Rank:4 | School Name:University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$407,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$173,000 | Graduation Rate:65% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$26,200 |
| Rank:5 | School Name: Union College (Nebraska) (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$389,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$154,000 | Graduation Rate:56% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$19,300 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: University of Nebraska at Omaha (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$389,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$93,000 | Graduation Rate:49% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$23,600 |
| Rank:7 | School Name: Creighton University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$373,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$237,000 | Graduation Rate:78% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$34,900 |
| Rank:8 | School Name:Clarkson College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$350,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$102,000 | Graduation Rate:72% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,300 |
| Rank:9 | School Name:University of Nebraska at Omaha (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$335,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$147,000 | Graduation Rate:49% | Typical Years to Graduate:5 | Average Loan Amount:$23,600 |
| Rank:10 | School Name: Hastings College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$275,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$191,000 | Graduation Rate:55% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,700 |
Made up mostly of farmland and vast, rural expanses, Nebraska also happens to be home to several colleges and universities that deliver solid ROI. Students attending school in the Cornhusker State don’t just enjoy good values for college education; they also enjoy living in a centrally located state that’s the perfect starting point for many road trip adventures. No matter why you’d like to attend school in this vast, intriguing state, consider availing yourself of Payscale’s data to more easily zero in on the best value colleges in Nebraska prior to applying.
The University of Nebraska, which is located in Lincoln and referred to as UNL or simply Nebraska, was founded in 1869, just a few years after statehood was achieved. While it has a strong academic reputation, the school is probably even better known for its sports programs. The Cornhuskers are in the Big 10 Conference and have won five national sports championships. Some of the most notable alumni of the school are found in the fields of science, research, public service and business, and they include three Nobel Prize winners, eight Pulitzer Prize winners and 22 Rhodes scholars among their ranks.
Located just outside of downtown Omaha, the private, not-for-profit Creighton University is made up of nine colleges and schools. Students enjoy access to more than 200 organizations and clubs along with a value of college education Nebraska families are sure to appreciate.
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