Students at Doane University benefit from earnings that exceed expectations, reflecting the value of personalized education and career-focused programming at this small Nebraska institution.
Graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that justify the private college investment for families seeking intimate learning environments.
Doane University is a small private nonprofit institution in Crete, Nebraska, that combines the intimate feel of a liberal arts college with practical career preparation. While net prices run higher than typical public options, graduates achieve solid long-term earnings that place the university in the 57th percentile nationally for 10-year outcomes. Students earn a median of $53,316 ten years after enrollment, with many seeing earnings beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions.
The university serves a moderately selective student body, with about 28% receiving Pell Grants and 30% being first-generation college students. As a "Selective Achievers" institution, Doane provides strong outcomes for the students it enrolls, though access remains more limited than at larger public universities. The small scale allows for close faculty relationships and personalized career guidance, particularly in the university's strongest programs in business, accounting, and nursing.
For families willing to invest in a private college experience, Doane offers the advantages of small class sizes, direct faculty mentorship, and career-focused programs that translate into solid post-graduation employment. The university's location in Nebraska provides a lower cost-of-living environment where graduate earnings stretch further than in many metropolitan areas.
Doane University's program portfolio reflects a focused approach to career preparation, with particular strength in business and healthcare fields that connect directly to regional employment opportunities. Business Administration and Management stands out as both the largest program, graduating 69 students, and the highest aggregate return major, with graduates earning median salaries of $44,077. This program benefits from the university's small scale, allowing for intensive career counseling, internship coordination, and direct faculty mentorship that helps students transition successfully into professional roles.
Accounting represents another strong career pathway, with 25 graduates earning about $50,022 in early career positions. The program's solid enrollment and competitive earnings reflect strong regional demand for accounting professionals and the university's reputation for thorough technical preparation. Adult Health Nursing delivers the highest individual earnings at roughly $61,020, demonstrating how Doane's healthcare programs prepare students for in-demand, well-compensated roles in Nebraska's growing healthcare sector.
The university's small scale allows for personalized attention in each program, with faculty who know students individually and can provide targeted career guidance. This intimate learning environment, combined with strong regional employer relationships, helps explain why graduates across programs often achieve earnings that exceed expectations despite the university's modest national profile.
Graduates of Doane University achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect the value of personalized education and career-focused programming. Ten years after enrollment, they earn a median of $53,316, placing the university in the 57th percentile nationally for earnings outcomes. Many graduates see earnings beyond expectations compared with similar students at other institutions, with the university delivering about $2,235 more in annual earnings than would be predicted based on student characteristics and program mix.
The strongest financial returns come from the university's professional programs. Business Administration and Management, the largest program with 69 graduates, produces median earnings of $44,077 and represents the highest aggregate return among all majors. Accounting graduates earn about $50,022 early in their careers, while Adult Health Nursing majors achieve the highest individual earnings at roughly $61,020. These programs benefit from Doane's small scale, which allows for intensive career preparation, internship coordination, and direct connections with regional employers.
The university's Nebraska location provides additional purchasing power advantages, as graduates enter a moderate cost-of-living region where earnings stretch further than in many metropolitan markets. This geographic advantage, combined with strong alumni networks in business and healthcare, helps explain why Doane graduates often outperform earnings expectations despite the university's modest national profile.
Affordability at Doane University reflects the premium associated with small, private college education, though the university provides meaningful financial aid to help offset sticker prices. Low-income students pay about $24,496 annually after aid, while middle-income families see net costs around $25,256 per year. Even high-income families pay approximately $31,980, which represents substantial aid from the university's published tuition rates. However, these net prices place Doane in the 15th percentile nationally for affordability, meaning costs run higher than at most comparable institutions.
Debt levels require careful family planning but remain within manageable ranges for graduates entering professional careers. Typical students leave with about $25,000 in federal loan debt, while families who choose Parent PLUS loans borrow an average of $21,000. The university maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally succeed in managing their debt obligations after graduation. Strong loan repayment patterns show that most borrowers make steady progress paying down balances, with repayment rates consistently above national medians.
The key to Doane's affordability equation is the long-term return on investment. While upfront costs are higher than public alternatives, graduates' solid earnings and strong career preparation help justify the premium for families who value small college advantages and can manage the initial financial commitment.
Doane University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
