York University offers an affordable pathway to private higher education, with net prices that make the small-college experience accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.
The university's commitment to serving Pell-eligible and first-generation students creates an inclusive community focused on personalized education rather than maximum earnings outcomes.
York University is a small private nonprofit institution in Nebraska that serves students seeking an intimate college experience with personalized attention. While the university's long-term earnings outcomes place it in the lower tier nationally—with graduates earning a median of $44,130 ten years after enrollment—it offers the distinctive advantages of small-scale education including close faculty relationships, tight-knit campus community, and individualized academic support that many students value highly.
The university serves a diverse student body with 44% of students receiving Pell Grants and about 33% being first-generation college students, demonstrating its commitment to providing access to higher education for students from various economic backgrounds. Net prices are relatively manageable, particularly for low-income families who pay around $15,941 annually, making the private college experience more accessible than at many similar institutions.
As a small private college, York University represents a different value proposition than large research universities—prioritizing personal development, community engagement, and individualized attention over maximum financial returns. For students who thrive in smaller environments and value the holistic benefits of a close-knit academic community, the university provides an affordable pathway to a private college degree in Nebraska.
York University's small scale means that program-level data is limited, reflecting the institution's focus on providing broad-based liberal arts education rather than specialized professional training. As a small private college, the university likely offers foundational programs across multiple disciplines designed to provide well-rounded education and personal development rather than targeting specific high-earning career paths.
The absence of detailed program-level earnings data is typical for smaller institutions where individual programs may have very small graduating classes, making statistical analysis less reliable. Students considering York University should focus on the overall educational experience, faculty-to-student ratios, and opportunities for personalized mentoring rather than expecting specialized programs with strong industry connections or high-earning career pipelines.
Prospective students should research specific academic departments and programs directly with the university to understand course offerings, faculty expertise, and career support services available within their areas of interest, as the intimate scale of the institution means that individual relationships and personalized guidance often matter more than program rankings or earnings statistics.
Graduates of York University earn a median of $44,130 ten years after enrollment, which places the institution in the lower tier nationally for long-term earnings outcomes. Early career earnings show graduates earning around $36,447 six years post-enrollment, indicating steady but modest income growth over time. The university's earnings performance reflects the realities of a small private institution that may not have the same industry connections or program scale as larger universities.
The financial return on investment at York University is modest compared to national averages, with graduates earning somewhat less than what similar students achieve at other institutions. This earnings gap of approximately $1,757 below expectations suggests that students should view their York University education primarily through the lens of personal and educational benefits rather than maximum financial returns. The university's small size and intimate learning environment provide value that extends beyond purely economic measures, including close mentoring relationships, personalized attention, and strong campus community bonds that many graduates find meaningful throughout their careers.
For students considering York University, the financial outcomes should be weighed against the distinctive advantages of small-college education, including individualized faculty attention, tight-knit peer networks, and comprehensive personal development opportunities that can provide long-term career benefits not captured in salary data alone.
York University offers relatively accessible pricing for a private nonprofit institution, particularly for students from lower-income backgrounds. Low-income families typically pay around $15,941 annually in net costs, while middle-income families see costs of approximately $18,012 per year. Even higher-income families face net prices of about $23,714, which remains more manageable than many private colleges nationwide.
The university's financial aid approach helps make private education accessible to students across income levels, with nearly half of students receiving Pell Grants indicating substantial need-based support. The pricing structure reflects York University's commitment to serving students from diverse economic backgrounds while maintaining the benefits of private education including smaller class sizes and personalized attention. Students typically graduate with federal loan debt of around $21,500, a moderate level that reflects the institution's efforts to balance accessibility with the higher costs associated with small-scale, personalized education.
York University Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
