Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

University of Nebraska at Kearney vs College of Saint Mary: which has better ROI?

Public, Kearney NE · vs · Private nonprofit, Omaha NE

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

College of Saint Mary has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,360 in 11.1 years versus 37.2 years at University of Nebraska at Kearney, on median earnings of $54,338 vs $50,105 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Nebraska at KearneyCollege of Saint Mary
Net price / yr$16,242$16,590
Total net cost$64,968$66,360
Median earnings, 10 yrs$50,105$54,338
Median debt$19,500$24,250
Payback37.2 yrs11.1 yrs
20-year net return-$30,068$53,200

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Kearney or College of Saint Mary?

University of Nebraska at Kearney, at $16,242 a year after aid versus $16,590 — a gap of $348 a year, or $1,392 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do University of Nebraska at Kearney or College of Saint Mary graduates earn more?

College of Saint Mary graduates report a median $54,338 ten years after entry, $4,233 more than the $50,105 at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, University of Nebraska at Kearney or College of Saint Mary?

University of Nebraska at Kearney: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $24,250 at College of Saint Mary, a difference of $4,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

61% of students finish at College of Saint Mary, against 58% at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

University of Nebraska at Kearney vs College of Saint Mary: frequently asked questions

Is University of Nebraska at Kearney or College of Saint Mary a better value?
College of Saint Mary. It clears its $66,360 net cost in about 11.1 years versus 37.2 years at University of Nebraska at Kearney, on median earnings of $54,338 vs $50,105 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Kearney or College of Saint Mary?
University of Nebraska at Kearney: $16,242/yr net price after aid versus $16,590/yr at College of Saint Mary — a difference of $348 a year, or about $1,392 over four years.
Do University of Nebraska at Kearney or College of Saint Mary graduates earn more?
College of Saint Mary graduates earn a median $54,338 ten years after entry, versus $50,105 at University of Nebraska at Kearney — a $4,233 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.