As an Opportunity Builder institution, University of Nebraska at Omaha combines open access admission with top-tier value-added performance. The university generates $19,561 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining debt levels below peer institutions, creating favorable conditions for economic mobility.
Strong value-added earnings relative to expectations
Controlled costs and debt levels below peer institutions
Above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
Demonstrating the university's ability to convert access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisTop 25 nationally for value-added earnings
University of Nebraska at Omaha ranks #166 nationally, placing in the 89.9th percentile with well above average performance across all institutional pillars. Located in Omaha, Nebraska, this large public university maintains an open access admission policy with an 86.9% acceptance rate while delivering strong value-added outcomes.
UNO enrolls 33.1% Pell-eligible students and 34.8% first-generation students, reflecting its commitment to serving diverse student populations. The university generates $19,561 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 94.1st percentile nationally—placing it among the top 25 institutions for value-added performance.
Graduates earn a median of $53,909 ten years after enrollment, around the national average but representing significant uplift given student demographics. As an Opportunity Builder, UNO combines accessible admission with outcomes that exceed predictions based on student backgrounds and institutional characteristics.
UNO delivers exceptional value through earnings that substantially exceed expectations relative to student demographics and institutional profile. Graduates earn $19,561 beyond predicted outcomes, ranking in the 94.1st percentile nationally for value-added performance.
This represents top-tier performance in transforming educational access into economic advancement. Median student debt remains manageable at $19,000, just $1,000 below the peer median of $20,000, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35.
Students seeking affordable, accessible public education with strong value-added outcomes. Well-suited for first-generation students (34.8%) and those prioritizing job-focused programs like Criminal Justice, General Studies, and Computer Science where UNO delivers earnings substantially above expectations.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Nebraska At Omaha hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha/analysis.
University of Nebraska at Omaha admits 86.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UNO in the Open Access category, representing institutions that admit more than 75% of applicants.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates UNO is more accessible than typical four-year institutions, admitting students at a rate 8.8 percentage points higher than similar schools. This open access approach aligns with UNO's mission as a public university serving diverse student populations, including substantial shares of first-generation and transfer students.
For prospective students, this accessibility means admission is highly likely for students meeting basic academic requirements. However, students should still submit strong applications and meet all deadlines, as competitive programs within the university may have additional requirements.
The high acceptance rate allows students to focus on fit and affordability rather than admission uncertainty. Students considering UNO should view it as a likely admit option when building their college lists, making it valuable for students seeking accessible public education with strong value-added outcomes.
This selectivity profile supports the university's role in providing educational opportunity to students who might face barriers at more selective institutions.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Nebraska at Omaha's published cost of attendance is $20,446 annually, including $8,370 in-state tuition, $11,610 for room and board, and $1,120 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $22,358.
However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $12,791 representing $7,655 in financial aid savings. This net price sits $2,799 below the peer median of $15,590, making UNO more affordable than similar public institutions.
The university demonstrates strong affordability performance, ranking at the 83.7th percentile nationally on Azimuth's affordability index. Net prices vary substantially by family income, ranging from $9,908 for families earning under $30,000 to $17,566 for families earning over $110,000—a spread of $7,658 that reflects the university's financial aid targeting toward lower-income students.
The combination of accessible admission, controlled costs, and need-based aid creates favorable conditions for students from diverse economic backgrounds seeking quality public education without excessive financial burden.
University of Nebraska at Omaha graduates demonstrate steady earnings progression over time. Median earnings increase from $45,494 six years after enrollment to $50,883 at eight years and $53,909 at ten years, representing 18.5% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on substantial cohorts of 3,562 graduates at six years, 3,841 at eight years, and 3,976 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Earnings range from $37,105 at the 25th percentile to $77,577 at the 75th percentile, reflecting a 2.1:1 ratio between top and bottom quartiles.
The university's strength lies in value-added performance, generating $19,561 in earnings beyond expectations and ranking at the 94.1st percentile nationally. Low-income graduates earn $45,000, demonstrating the institution's effectiveness in serving students from challenging economic backgrounds.
Approximately 19.1% of graduates continue to graduate school, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced study. These outcomes reflect consistent performance across diverse academic programs rather than isolated high-earning tracks.
Computer Science.
81 graduates
Computer Support Specialist.
37 graduates
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General.
31 graduates
Information Science/Studies.
50 graduates
Business Administration and Management, General.
115 graduates
University of Nebraska at Omaha offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for ranking. Computer Science ranks #95 nationally and #1 in Nebraska, producing 81 graduates with median earnings of $95,889 and a value score of 48.6.
General Studies ranks #30 nationally and #1 in Nebraska, graduating 318 students with median earnings of $45,327 and an exceptional value score of 84.0. Corrections Administration ranks #71 nationally and #1 in Nebraska, graduating 192 students with median earnings of $47,529.
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed ranks #9 nationally and #1 in Nebraska, producing 51 graduates with median earnings of $54,167 and a strong value score of 88.9. Business Administration ranks #181 nationally and #2 in Nebraska, graduating 115 students with median earnings of $56,456.
The university demonstrates particular strength in specialized programs, holding the #1 position in Nebraska across multiple fields including Criminal Justice, General Studies, and several education specializations.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Old Dominion University Similar quality tier (#165 ranked) | VA | 91% | $54,914 | #165 | Compare |
Kean University Similar quality tier (#162 ranked) | NJ | 77% | $57,237 | #162 | Compare |
California State University-Monterey Bay Similar quality tier (#166 ranked) | CA | 95% | $59,247 | #166 | Compare |
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University Similar quality tier (#167 ranked) | FL | 21% | $44,349 | #167 | Compare |
University Of Colorado Boulder Similar quality tier (#168 ranked) | CO | 83% | $69,738 | #168 | Compare |