Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Nebraska-Lincoln #267 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $62,769, placing University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the 62.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Nebraska-Lincoln sits in the 64.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting how consistently graduates outperform what similar students earn at comparable institutions. University of Nebraska-Lincoln earn about $1,562 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university among the stronger-performing institutions in the Azimuth coverage set for earnings beyond expectations. Azimuth ranks University of Nebraska-Lincoln #507 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with median 4-year earnings of $62,769 anchoring a composite profile that balances strong graduate outcomes with Nebraska public-university pricing.
Azimuth ranks University of Nebraska-Lincoln #267 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 81.5 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Lincoln, NE, University of Nebraska-Lincoln enrolls roughly 19,178 undergraduates. Retention stands at 86.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 67.0%, reflecting solid degree-completion performance for a large public research university. The composite is anchored by return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Nebraska-Lincoln #507 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 65.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $62,769 four years after enrollment, placing University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the 62.8 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,562 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the 64.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business is the dominant program family, and the breadth of the university's research-university curriculum supports strong outcomes across a wide range of fields. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. University of Nebraska-Lincoln admits about 87.5% of applicants, reflecting a moderately selective admissions posture, and 22.8% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants while 22.0% are first-generation college students. University of Nebraska-Lincoln sits in the 63.9 percentile for access and the 64.8 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, figures that reflect the cost structure typical of a large flagship public university and the income profile of its enrolled student body. Mobility sits in the 88.5 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, supported by the university's strong employer relationships in the regional and national labor market.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln's cost of attendance is $26,697, and financial aid significantly reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,751; middle-income families pay around $14,699; and higher-income families pay approximately $22,346. Azimuth ranks University of Nebraska-Lincoln #502 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. University of Nebraska-Lincoln participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The institution's public tuition structure and broad financial-aid reach help keep net prices accessible across income levels, particularly for low-income and middle-income families. Many students benefit from need-based aid that closes a meaningful portion of the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,769, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a strong fit for students in Puerto Rico who want an affordable public university education grounded in business and applied professional fields, with a clear path to stable post-graduation earnings without taking on heavy debt. Graduates earn about $1,562 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the 64.9 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — a meaningful signal for cost-conscious students focused on long-term financial outcomes relative to what they invest. The institution serves a large share of Pell-eligible and first-generation students, making it a realistic and financially accessible option for families across Puerto Rico who need a low net price alongside dependable outcomes. With Business as the dominant program family, students whose interests align with business, management, and related applied fields will find the strongest program-level fit here. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated rather than broad, so students seeking engineering, health sciences, or liberal arts depth may find a narrower range of options; and as a regional public institution in Bayamon, PR, the strongest career networks and employer relationships are locally oriented rather than national in scope.
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.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of Nebraska-Lincoln hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln's cost of attendance is $26,697, and financial aid significantly reshapes that figure across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $12,751; middle-income families pay around $14,699; and higher-income families pay approximately $22,346.
Azimuth ranks University of Nebraska-Lincoln #502 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. The institution's public tuition structure and broad financial-aid reach help keep net prices accessible across income levels, particularly for low-income and middle-income families.
Many students benefit from need-based aid that closes a meaningful portion of the gap between sticker price and what families actually pay. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $21,000.
For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $62,769, median federal debt of $21,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $237 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Nebraska–Lincoln earn a median of $62,769 four years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 62.8th percentile for median earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $1,562 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Nebraska in the 64.9th percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Nebraska #507 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 65.8th percentile overall.
The earnings pattern reflects the institution's concentration in Business fields, which account for 23% of graduates. Azimuth ranks Business Administration, Management and Operations #160 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/), with graduates earning a median of $67,918 four years after graduation. Azimuth ranks Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication #41 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 239 graduates earning $61,145, and Psychology, General ranks #207 nationally, with 237 graduates earning $49,965.
Computer and Information Sciences, General
93 graduates
Computer Engineering
83 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
53 graduates
Agricultural Engineering
23 graduates
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
55 graduates
University of Nebraska-Lincoln's program mix is anchored in Business, with meaningful concentrations in Business, Engineering, and Education — a portfolio shaped by the university's land-grant research identity and its deep ties to Nebraska's agricultural, financial, and engineering sectors. Across 76 programs, 54 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, collectively serving roughly 4,468 students annually.
The program with the strongest combination of scale and earnings is Business Administration, which anchors the institution's financial outcomes by pairing a large graduate cohort with competitive four-year pay. Among the most popular programs, Business Administration program graduates 324 students and delivers median earnings of $67,918 four years after enrollment, with Azimuth ranking it #154 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General follow as the next largest programs by cohort size, with graduates earning $61,145 and $49,965 respectively four years after enrollment — reflecting the university's breadth across applied and professional fields. The highest-earning programs at University of Nebraska-Lincoln cluster in technical and professional disciplines.
Mechanical Engineering leads with median earnings of $88,972 four years after enrollment, and Azimuth ranks it #140 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Accounting also post strong early-career figures — $78,760 and $77,504 respectively — representing high-mobility, direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter the labor market without requiring additional graduate credentials.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these program families align with national hiring trends.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Alabama At Birmingham Similar quality tier (#10692 ranked) | AL | 88% | $54,501 | #10692 | Compare |
University Of Missouri-Kansas City Similar quality tier in Midwest (#10707 ranked) | MO | 72% | $59,637 | #10707 | Compare |
Colorado State University Global Similar quality tier (#10689 ranked) | CO | 98% | $76,813 | #10689 | Compare |
Auburn University Similar quality tier (#10709 ranked) | AL | 46% | $65,337 | #10709 | Compare |
University Of Rhode Island Similar quality tier (#10687 ranked) | RI | 72% | $69,743 | #10687 | Compare |
