Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Concordia University-Nebraska #1382 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,413 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 25.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Concordia University-Nebraska #938 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — reflecting strong outcomes for students entering education and other service-oriented fields.
Azimuth ranks Concordia University-Nebraska #1382 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 6.6 percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Seward, Nebraska, Concordia University-Nebraska enrolls roughly 1,283 undergraduates. Retention is 79.5% and the six-year graduation rate is 64.9%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Where Concordia University-Nebraska performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Concordia University-Nebraska #1023 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 30.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,848, placing Concordia University-Nebraska in the 13.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $8,413 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Concordia University-Nebraska in the 25.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's education-focused mission — with Education as the dominant program family — aligns with stable, in-demand career pathways that support long-term financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Concordia University-Nebraska sits in the 2.2 percentile for access and the 33.3 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the cost structure of a private institution and a student population that skews toward families with greater ability to pay. Mobility outcomes, measured by how well low-income and first-generation graduates fare relative to peers, sit in the 36.6 percentile. For families prioritizing strong earnings outcomes and willing to invest in tuition, Concordia University-Nebraska delivers measurable financial returns relative to comparable private institutions.
Concordia University-Nebraska's published cost of attendance is $53,292. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $19,107, middle-income families pay around $21,442, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,433. Azimuth ranks Concordia University-Nebraska #951 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. Concordia University-Nebraska's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and institutional aid processes. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs alongside institutional scholarships and grants. For families evaluating affordability, the contrast between published cost and actual net price — especially for lower-income students — is worth examining carefully, as net price and sticker price can differ substantially. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,850; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,848, median federal debt of $25,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $291 under standard ten-year repayment. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, including Parent PLUS planning, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Concordia University-Nebraska is a strong fit for students seeking a faith-based education in NE with a focus on Education and related service-oriented fields. The university's small size and regional focus create a close-knit learning environment for undergraduates who value personal attention and community connections. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,848, placing Concordia University-Nebraska in the 13.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,413 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 25.2 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 11.4% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 18.3% identifying as first-generation. These students graduate at a rate of 63.2%, demonstrating the institution's commitment to supporting students from various backgrounds. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 85.7% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors education and service fields over technical or research-intensive disciplines. Students whose interests align with these areas will find strong outcomes relative to NE's no-degree-equivalent earnings baseline of $34,059.
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 Concordia University-Nebraska hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Culinary Institute Of America Similar quality tier (#36126 ranked) | NY | 91% | $47,475 | #36126 | Compare |
Kentucky Christian University Similar quality tier (#36123 ranked) | KY | 61% | $42,375 | #36123 | Compare |
Palm Beach Atlantic University Similar quality tier (#36134 ranked) | FL | 82% | $49,232 | #36134 | Compare |
Flagler College Similar quality tier (#36122 ranked) | FL | 81% | $49,483 | #36122 | Compare |
Lawrence University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#36135 ranked) | WI | 64% | $55,789 | #36135 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Concordia University-Nebraska's published cost of attendance is $53,292. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $19,107, middle-income families pay around $21,442, and higher-income families pay approximately $26,433.
Azimuth ranks Concordia University-Nebraska #951 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.
Concordia University-Nebraska's aid structure is need-based, with families applying through the FAFSA and institutional aid processes. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and state aid programs alongside institutional scholarships and grants.
For families evaluating affordability, the contrast between published cost and actual net price — especially for lower-income students — is worth examining carefully, as [net price and sticker price can differ substantially](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/). Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,750, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $18,850; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures.
For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $53,848, median federal debt of $25,750 projects to a monthly payment of about $291 under standard ten-year repayment. Families should weigh any Parent PLUS obligations against need-based aid and non-loan financing alternatives before borrowing — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, including Parent PLUS planning, use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Concordia University-Nebraska earn median 4-year earnings of $53,848, placing Concordia University-Nebraska in the 13.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $8,413 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Concordia University-Nebraska in the 25.2 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Concordia University-Nebraska #1023 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Concordia University-Nebraska's concentration in education and teaching-focused fields.
Teacher Education is the largest program with 76 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $45,047, representing 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Business/Commerce, General program graduates 39 students earning $60,031, while Biology, General and Psychology, General round out the top programs with 30 and 30 graduates respectively.
These programs anchor Concordia University-Nebraska's mission-driven outcomes in fields where graduates move directly into stable, in-demand roles across the Midwest.
Business/Commerce, General
39 graduates
Theological and Ministerial Studies
8 graduates
Religious Education
10 graduates
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
14 graduates
Behavioral Sciences
22 graduates
Concordia University-Nebraska's program mix centers on Education — a signature aligned with the institution's identity as a faith-based liberal arts university in the Great Plains. Teacher Education is the largest program with 76 graduates earning median earnings of $45,047, followed by Business/Commerce, General with 39 graduates earning $60,031, Biology, General with 30 graduates earning $47,419, Psychology, General with 30 graduates, and Behavioral Sciences with 22 graduates.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 318 students annually, several deliver solid four-year earnings outcomes. The highest-earning programs at Concordia University-Nebraska cluster in applied professional and health-adjacent fields.
Business/Commerce, General leads with median earnings of $60,031 four years after enrollment from 39 graduates, followed by Religious Education with median earnings of $55,729 from 10 graduates and Kinesiology with median earnings of $48,490. Behavioral Sciences and Biology, General round out the earnings leaders, each delivering competitive four-year outcomes.
The concentration of strength in Education and related applied fields reflects the institution's positioning as a professional-preparation-focused private university. Several of these programs represent grad-school-dependent pathways where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because graduates often continue to graduate or professional study — particularly in Education and related social-science fields.
Others, such as business and health-related majors, are direct-to-workforce programs where four-year earnings reflect immediate labor-market outcomes. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how Concordia University-Nebraska's dominant program families align with regional and national labor-market demand.
