Compare 6 Sports Studies. programs in Nebraska. Average earnings: $42,085.
With top graduates earning $49,527, Sports Studies stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $7K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Nebraska Wesleyan University's Sports Studies program leads with graduates earning $49,527, well above the state average of $42,085. University of Nebraska at Kearney follows at $45,135, demonstrating how focused programs can compete regardless of overall institutional rankings across Nebraska's 6 ranked programs.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. University of Nebraska at Kearney graduates borrow $19,500 and face just an 11.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Good' category. That means loan payments take a manageable bite out of their post-grad income compared to higher-debt alternatives.
Highest program earnings: $49,527
Strong outcomes with 84% acceptance
11.9% payment burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
21.9% family burden | Challenging - payment 18-25% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityPrivate | $49,527 | 39 | $26,970 | Manageable | $28,640 | High |
| #2 | $45,135 | 24 | $19,500 | Good | $14,457 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $42,256 | 60 | $19,000 | Manageable | $15,945 | High | |
| #4 | Midland UniversityPrivate | $42,245 | 25 | $26,134 | Challenging | $26,370 | High |
| #5 | Wayne State CollegePublic | $42,218 | 33 | $19,000 | Manageable | $10,888 | Challenging |
| #6 | $31,127 | 14 | $25,750 | High | $18,850 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
