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University of Nebraska at Omaha vs Metropolitan Community College Area: which has better ROI?

Public, Omaha NE · vs · Public, Omaha NE

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

The verdict

University of Nebraska at Omaha has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $53,764 in 9.7 years versus not at all at Metropolitan Community College Area, on median earnings of $53,909 vs $38,773 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaMetropolitan Community College Area
Net price / yr$13,441$4,982
Total net cost$53,764$9,964
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,909$38,773
Median debt$19,000$8,217
Payback9.7 yrs—
20-year net return$57,216-$201,704

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

Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Omaha or Metropolitan Community College Area?

Metropolitan Community College Area, at $4,982 a year after aid versus $13,441 — a gap of $8,459 a year, or $43,800 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 Metropolitan Community College Area graduates earn more?

University of Nebraska at Omaha graduates report a median $53,909 ten years after entry, $15,136 more than the $38,773 at Metropolitan Community College Area. 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 Metropolitan Community College Area?

Metropolitan Community College Area: its completers carry a median $8,217 in federal loans versus $19,000 at University of Nebraska at Omaha, a difference of $10,783. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

47% of students finish at University of Nebraska at Omaha, against 29% at Metropolitan Community College Area. 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 Omaha vs Metropolitan Community College Area: frequently asked questions

Is University of Nebraska at Omaha or Metropolitan Community College Area a better value?
University of Nebraska at Omaha. It clears its $53,764 net cost in about 9.7 years versus no clear payback at Metropolitan Community College Area, on median earnings of $53,909 vs $38,773 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Omaha or Metropolitan Community College Area?
Metropolitan Community College Area: $4,982/yr net price after aid versus $13,441/yr at University of Nebraska at Omaha — a difference of $8,459 a year, or about $43,800 over four years.
Do University of Nebraska at Omaha or Metropolitan Community College Area graduates earn more?
University of Nebraska at Omaha graduates earn a median $53,909 ten years after entry, versus $38,773 at Metropolitan Community College Area — a $15,136 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.