University of Nebraska at Kearney — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Nebraska at Kearney charges a net price of $16,242/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $64,968. Graduates earn a median $50,105 ten years after entry, $1,745/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 37.2 years — a 20-year net return of -$30,068, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Nebraska at Kearney's 37.2-year payback ranks #1,158 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 10% of them, and #15 of 27 in Nebraska.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $16,242/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $64,968 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $50,105 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $1,745/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,500 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 37.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | -$30,068 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Nebraska at Kearney's own numbers. Net price $16,242 × 4 years = $64,968 total. Median earnings $50,105 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $1,745 a year of premium. $64,968 ÷ $1,745 = 37.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves -$30,068. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate with?
A median $19,500 in federal loans among completers, or 39% of the $50,105 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Nebraska at Kearney students graduate?
58% finish their degree — 42% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $64,968 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $112,014 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Nebraska at Kearney expensive compared with other Nebraska colleges?
Its $16,242 net price runs $1,308 below the $17,550 median across the 27 Nebraska colleges we profile, and $5,232 less across the full degree.