University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Clarkson College: which has better ROI?
Clarkson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,964 in 4.7 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $64,876 vs $56,887 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Clarkson College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,747 | $19,241 |
| Total net cost | $70,988 | $76,964 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,887 | $64,876 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $23,716 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | 4.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $99,552 | $253,356 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Clarkson College?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at $17,747 a year after aid versus $19,241 — a gap of $1,494 a year, or $5,976 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-Lincoln or Clarkson College graduates earn more?
Clarkson College graduates report a median $64,876 ten years after entry, $7,989 more than the $56,887 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 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-Lincoln or Clarkson College?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $23,716 at Clarkson College, a difference of $2,716. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, against 47% at Clarkson 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.