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University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Creighton University: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Creighton University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $126,272 in 4.9 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $73,911 vs $56,887 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnCreighton University
Net price / yr$17,747$31,568
Total net cost$70,988$126,272
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,887$73,911
Median debt$21,000$25,000
Payback8.3 yrs4.9 yrs
20-year net return$99,552$384,748

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

Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at $17,747 a year after aid versus $31,568 — a gap of $13,821 a year, or $55,284 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 Creighton University graduates earn more?

Creighton University graduates report a median $73,911 ten years after entry, $17,024 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 Creighton University?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Creighton University, a difference of $4,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

83% of students finish at Creighton University, against 67% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 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-Lincoln vs Creighton University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University a better value?
Creighton University. It clears its $126,272 net cost in about 4.9 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $73,911 vs $56,887 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: $17,747/yr net price after aid versus $31,568/yr at Creighton University — a difference of $13,821 a year, or about $55,284 over four years.
Do University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University graduates earn more?
Creighton University graduates earn a median $73,911 ten years after entry, versus $56,887 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln — a $17,024 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.