Students at Concordia University-Nebraska benefit from above-average earnings outcomes and exceptional loan repayment success, with graduates consistently meeting their financial obligations.
The combination of solid career preparation and strong financial literacy support helps ensure sustainable post-graduation financial health.
Concordia University-Nebraska is a small private nonprofit institution in Seward that serves a highly selective student body while maintaining a strong focus on career preparation. With earnings that place it in the 65th percentile nationally, Concordia graduates achieve solid long-term financial outcomes despite the institution's modest size and specialized mission.
The university's strength lies in its ability to support students through completion and into stable careers. With a 64% six-year graduation rate and median 10-year earnings of $52,415, Concordia delivers consistent outcomes for students who choose its distinctive educational approach. The institution particularly excels in education and business programs, which together represent much of its academic focus.
As a small private college with fewer than 2,000 students, Concordia offers an intimate learning environment that many families find appealing. While access is limited due to its selective nature, the university provides substantial financial aid that helps make private education more accessible to middle-income families who might otherwise find it out of reach.
Concordia University-Nebraska's program portfolio reflects its mission-driven focus on education, ministry, and service professions. Adult and Continuing Education represents the university's largest program by enrollment with 65 graduates, generating substantial aggregate value despite modest individual earnings around $39,153. This program serves working professionals seeking career advancement in educational leadership and training roles.
Business programs offer the strongest early-career earnings at approximately $40,458, providing graduates with versatile skills for Nebraska's diverse economy. Biology serves as a popular pre-professional track with 31 graduates, though early earnings around $29,685 reflect the field's emphasis on graduate school preparation rather than immediate career entry.
The university's focused program mix emphasizes practical preparation for stable career paths rather than maximum earning potential. This approach aligns with Concordia's values-based mission while still delivering solid financial outcomes for graduates who prioritize meaningful work alongside economic security.
Graduates of Concordia University-Nebraska earn a median of $52,415 ten years after enrollment, placing the institution in the 65th percentile nationally for long-term earnings. While this represents solid financial outcomes, graduates earn somewhat less than what might be expected given the institution's selectivity and private status, reflecting the university's focus on fields like education and ministry that prioritize service over maximum earning potential.
The university's strongest financial returns come from its business and education programs. Adult and Continuing Education graduates, representing the largest cohort at 65 students, earn around $39,153 but generate substantial aggregate value due to program scale. Business majors earn approximately $40,458 early in their careers, while Biology graduates see more modest starting earnings around $29,685 as many pursue graduate school or entry-level positions in healthcare and research fields.
Concordia's career outcomes reflect its mission-driven approach, with many graduates entering education, ministry, healthcare, and social services. While these fields may not offer the highest starting salaries, they provide stable career paths with meaningful work and steady long-term growth potential for graduates who value purpose alongside financial security.
Concordia University-Nebraska works to make private education accessible through substantial financial aid, though net prices remain significant for most families. Low-income students pay approximately $19,320 annually after aid, while middle-income families see costs around $21,880 per year. Even high-income families receive some tuition discounting, with net prices averaging $26,363, well below the institution's full sticker price.
The university's financial aid strategy focuses on making private education competitive with public alternatives, particularly for Nebraska families. Most students graduate with manageable debt levels, with typical federal loan balances around $25,750 and Parent PLUS borrowing averaging $17,300. The institution maintains a 0% federal loan default rate, indicating that graduates generally succeed in repaying their educational investments despite the higher borrowing levels typical of private colleges.
Loan repayment patterns show that Concordia graduates handle their debt obligations well, with strong early payment performance that exceeds national averages. This reflects both the institution's career preparation focus and the financial literacy support it provides to students throughout their academic experience.
Concordia University-Nebraska Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
