Cost & ROI · 2026
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln worth it?
Pay $17,747/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $56,887 ten years out — about 3.2× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Nebraska avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical Nebraska college and the typical US college.
| Metric | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Nebraska avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $17,747 | $18,556 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▲ $56,887 | $51,278 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $21,000 | $20,799 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 67% | 54.1% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | ▲ 87.5% | 77.4% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $106,788 over four years. Most students get $8,950/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $21,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 37% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median University of Nebraska-Lincoln grad earns about $475,480 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The average student at University of Nebraska-Lincoln pays $17,747 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $26,697 published sticker price. That is below the NE average net price of $18,556.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $56,887 — above the NE median of $51,278. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $21,000, roughly $228 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 37% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper Nebraska colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $17,747 per year. That's $8,950/yr in financial aid against the $26,697 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $70,988.
How much do University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates earn a median of $56,887 per year — above the national average of $50,834. That's about 3.2× the annual net cost.
How much debt do University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $21,000 — about $228/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 32.6% of students take federal loans.
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns University of Nebraska-Lincoln a value grade of B — top 45% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $17,747/yr, earn $56,887/yr ten years out, ROI score of 8.01. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
22.8% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 32.6% take federal student loans. On average, students get $8,950 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
In-state tuition is $10,434 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $28,584 per year — a difference of $18,150/yr or $72,600 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $12,751. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $22,346. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →