University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Nebraska Wesleyan University: which has better ROI?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,988 in 8.3 years versus 9.1 years at Nebraska Wesleyan University, on median earnings of $56,887 vs $56,405 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska Wesleyan University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,747 | $18,327 |
| Total net cost | $70,988 | $73,308 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,887 | $56,405 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $26,970 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | 9.1 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $99,552 | $87,592 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Nebraska Wesleyan University?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at $17,747 a year after aid versus $18,327 — a gap of $580 a year, or $2,320 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University graduates earn more?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates report a median $56,887 ten years after entry, $482 more than the $56,405 at Nebraska Wesleyan University. 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $26,970 at Nebraska Wesleyan University, a difference of $5,970. 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 66% at Nebraska Wesleyan University. 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.