University of Nebraska at Omaha vs College of Saint Mary: which has better ROI?
University of Nebraska at Omaha has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,764 in 9.7 years versus 11.1 years at College of Saint Mary, on median earnings of $53,909 vs $54,338 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nebraska at Omaha | College of Saint Mary |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,441 | $16,590 |
| Total net cost | $53,764 | $66,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,909 | $54,338 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $24,250 |
| Payback | 9.7 yrs | 11.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $57,216 | $53,200 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Omaha or College of Saint Mary?
University of Nebraska at Omaha, at $13,441 a year after aid versus $16,590 — a gap of $3,149 a year, or $12,596 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 Omaha or College of Saint Mary graduates earn more?
College of Saint Mary graduates report a median $54,338 ten years after entry, $429 more than the $53,909 at University of Nebraska at Omaha. 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 Omaha or College of Saint Mary?
University of Nebraska at Omaha: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $24,250 at College of Saint Mary, a difference of $5,250. 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 47% at University of Nebraska at Omaha. 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.