University of Nebraska at Kearney vs Hastings College: which has better ROI?
Hastings College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,808 in 33.2 years versus 37.2 years at University of Nebraska at Kearney, on median earnings of $51,303 vs $50,105 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nebraska at Kearney | Hastings College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,242 | $24,452 |
| Total net cost | $64,968 | $97,808 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $50,105 | $51,303 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 37.2 yrs | 33.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$30,068 | -$38,948 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Kearney or Hastings College?
University of Nebraska at Kearney, at $16,242 a year after aid versus $24,452 — a gap of $8,210 a year, or $32,840 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 Hastings College graduates earn more?
Hastings College graduates report a median $51,303 ten years after entry, $1,198 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 Hastings College?
University of Nebraska at Kearney: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Hastings College, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at University of Nebraska at Kearney, against 49% at Hastings College. 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.