University of Nebraska-Lincoln — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Nebraska-Lincoln charges a net price of $17,747/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $70,988. Graduates earn a median $56,887 ten years after entry, $8,527/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 8.3 years — a 20-year net return of $99,552, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln's 8.3-year payback ranks #712 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 44% of them, and #6 of 27 in Nebraska.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $17,747/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $70,988 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $56,887 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $8,527/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $21,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $99,552 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Nebraska-Lincoln's own numbers. Net price $17,747 × 4 years = $70,988 total. Median earnings $56,887 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $8,527 a year of premium. $70,988 ÷ $8,527 = 8.3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $99,552. 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-Lincoln students graduate with?
A median $21,000 in federal loans among completers, or 37% of the $56,887 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-Lincoln students graduate?
67% finish their degree — 33% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $70,988 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $105,952 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln expensive compared with other Nebraska colleges?
Its $17,747 net price runs $197 above the $17,550 median across the 27 Nebraska colleges we profile, or $788 more across the full degree.