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University of Nebraska at Omaha vs Nebraska Wesleyan University: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Nebraska Wesleyan University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $73,308 in 9.1 years versus 9.7 years at University of Nebraska at Omaha, on median earnings of $56,405 vs $53,909 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Nebraska at OmahaNebraska Wesleyan University
Net price / yr$13,441$18,327
Total net cost$53,764$73,308
Median earnings, 10 yrs$53,909$56,405
Median debt$19,000$26,970
Payback9.7 yrs9.1 yrs
20-year net return$57,216$87,592

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

Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Omaha or Nebraska Wesleyan University?

University of Nebraska at Omaha, at $13,441 a year after aid versus $18,327 — a gap of $4,886 a year, or $19,544 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates earn more?

Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates report a median $56,405 ten years after entry, $2,496 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University?

University of Nebraska at Omaha: its completers carry a median $19,000 in federal loans versus $26,970 at Nebraska Wesleyan University, a difference of $7,970. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Nebraska Wesleyan University, 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.

University of Nebraska at Omaha vs Nebraska Wesleyan University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Nebraska at Omaha or Nebraska Wesleyan University a better value?
Nebraska Wesleyan University. It clears its $73,308 net cost in about 9.1 years versus 9.7 years at University of Nebraska at Omaha, on median earnings of $56,405 vs $53,909 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska at Omaha or Nebraska Wesleyan University?
University of Nebraska at Omaha: $13,441/yr net price after aid versus $18,327/yr at Nebraska Wesleyan University — a difference of $4,886 a year, or about $19,544 over four years.
Do University of Nebraska at Omaha or Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates earn more?
Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates earn a median $56,405 ten years after entry, versus $53,909 at University of Nebraska at Omaha — a $2,496 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.