Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Doane University #1230 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,822 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 75.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Doane University sits in the 62.4 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. ---
Azimuth ranks Doane University #1230 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's university in Crete, Nebraska, Doane University enrolls roughly 978 undergraduates. Retention stands at 79.2% and the six-year graduation rate is 57.1%, reflecting solid completion outcomes for a regional institution. Where Doane University performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Doane University #557 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,227, and Doane University sits in the 75.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. This performance reflects the institution's concentration in Business and related fields that connect directly to stable career pathways and solid early-career pay. Access and affordability anchor the institution's profile. Doane University enrolls 26.8% Pell-eligible undergraduates and 29.9% first-generation students, positioning it as a broad-access regional option. Azimuth ranks Doane University in the 5.4 percentile for access and the 26.2 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For families seeking a smaller, regionally rooted private institution with transparent financial outcomes and a focus on business and professional programs, Doane University offers a straightforward value proposition: manageable scale, accessible admission, and graduates who move into the regional workforce with earnings that reflect their field of study.
Doane University's published cost of attendance is $57,836. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,129, middle-income families pay around $24,225, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,410. Azimuth ranks Doane University #1052 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. Doane University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of aid packages. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,227, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Doane University is a strong fit for students interested in business and related fields who want a private university experience in NE. Its program mix is concentrated in Business, representing 21% of graduates, making it particularly well-suited for students pursuing careers in these areas. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $58,227, placing Doane University in the 33.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn about $4,822 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 75.5 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The university enrolls students from a range of backgrounds, with 26.8% of undergraduates receiving Pell Grants and 29.9% being first-generation students. This combination of access and outcomes makes Doane University a compelling option for students from various backgrounds seeking strong returns on their educational investment. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the 98.0% admit rate makes the application process selective, and the program mix favors Business and related fields. Students whose interests align with these areas will find the strongest outcomes at this institution.
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
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This is the Doane University 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.
Doane University's published cost of attendance is $57,836. Need-based financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $21,129, middle-income families pay around $24,225, and higher-income families pay approximately $29,410.
Azimuth ranks Doane University #1052 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.
Doane University participates in federal need-based aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, alongside institutional aid. Families apply for need-based aid using the FAFSA, and work-study is available as part of aid packages.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $25,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $23,500; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $58,227, median federal debt of $25,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Doane University earn median 4-year earnings of $58,227, placing Doane University in the 33.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $4,822 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Doane University in the 75.5 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Doane University #557 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Doane University's concentration in business and professional fields.
Business Administration is the largest program with 56 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $63,983, delivering 0.9× the national benchmark for the field. Engineering and General Studies round out the top enrollment cohorts, while Teacher Education graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $53,163 — 1.1× the national benchmark — and Biology, General reaches median 4-year earnings of $59,689 at 1.0× benchmark.
This program mix, anchored in Business, supports consistent early-career earnings and positions graduates for stable professional pathways.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Franklin College Similar quality tier in Midwest (#31685 ranked) | IN | 70% | $55,376 | #31685 | Compare |
Ohio Wesleyan University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#31688 ranked) | OH | 56% | $55,624 | #31688 | Compare |
Quincy University Similar quality tier in Midwest (#31683 ranked) | IL | 51% | $50,369 | #31683 | Compare |
Life Pacific University Similar quality tier (#31681 ranked) | CA | 96% | $43,299 | #31681 | Compare |
Texas Lutheran University Similar quality tier (#31679 ranked) | TX | 96% | $53,863 | #31679 | Compare |
Accounting and Related Services
7 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
56 graduates
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
6 graduates
Biology, General
14 graduates
Special Education and Teaching
11 graduates
Doane University's program mix is anchored in business and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts university with a career-focused mission. Business Administration is the largest program with 56 graduates, followed by Engineering, General Studies, Teacher Education, and Biology, General.
Across 21 total programs serving roughly 251 students annually, the institution concentrates its degree output in Business (representing 21% of graduates), Education (representing 11%), and Social Sciences (representing 8%). The strongest earnings outcomes cluster in applied professional fields.
Business Administration leads with median earnings of $63,983 four years after enrollment across 56 graduates, followed by Biology, General with $59,689 and 11 graduates. Special Education and Teaching delivers $54,733 with 11 graduates, while Teacher Education and Sociology round out the highest-earning programs with $53,163 and $48,705 respectively.
These programs reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable, in-demand career fields immediately after completion. Doane University's program portfolio emphasizes applied learning and employer alignment across its dominant business and professional concentrations.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with regional and national labor-market trends. For students prioritizing early-career earnings and clear career pathways, the institution's strength in business and professional programs offers transparent outcomes tied to workforce demand.
