Students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha achieve earnings that substantially exceed expectations, with graduates earning nearly $20,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions.
This earnings advantage, combined with strong outcomes for low-income students and affordable net prices, makes UNO a reliable pathway to economic advancement.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha delivers consistent value as a large public research university that balances accessibility with meaningful long-term outcomes. UNO serves a diverse student body where about one-third receive Pell Grants and nearly 35% are first-generation college students, yet still achieves solid earnings results that place graduates in the middle tier nationally for 10-year earnings.
What distinguishes UNO is its role as a "Mobility Engine" — an institution that opens its doors widely while helping students achieve genuine upward economic progress. Graduates earn a median of $53,909 ten years after enrollment, and the university delivers particularly strong outcomes for low-income students, with earnings that exceed expectations by nearly $20,000 compared with similar institutions nationwide.
As Nebraska's metropolitan university anchored in Omaha, UNO combines the resources of a major public research institution with the accessibility and affordability that families expect from their state system. The university offers broad program coverage across business, criminal justice, education, and technology fields, with net prices that remain manageable for families across income levels and debt loads that align well with typical graduate earning power.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers a diverse program portfolio that reflects both regional workforce needs and student career interests. General Studies leads in total graduates with 318 students, providing flexible degree completion options that often serve working adults and transfer students seeking to finish their education. While individual earnings in General Studies average around $36,398, the program's scale makes it a significant contributor to the university's overall graduate outcomes.
Technical and professional programs deliver the strongest individual earnings outcomes. Computer Science, with 81 graduates earning a median of $68,778, represents UNO's growing strength in technology education and reflects Omaha's expanding tech sector opportunities. Criminal Justice and Corrections Administration programs graduate 192 students annually with median earnings around $37,100, highlighting UNO's particular expertise in public service career preparation and its strong connections to law enforcement and corrections agencies throughout the region.
The university's program mix balances practical career preparation with academic breadth. Psychology graduates, while earning more modest early-career salaries around $27,556, often use their degrees as foundations for graduate study or specialized career paths in counseling, social services, and human resources. This diversity in program outcomes reflects UNO's comprehensive mission as a metropolitan university serving students with varied career goals and educational backgrounds.
Graduates of the University of Nebraska at Omaha achieve solid long-term financial outcomes that reflect both the university's broad academic portfolio and its commitment to practical career preparation. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $53,909, positioning UNO in the middle tier nationally for earnings outcomes. What makes these results particularly meaningful is that UNO graduates earn nearly $20,000 more than similar students at comparable institutions, demonstrating the university's ability to add substantial value beyond what students' backgrounds might predict.
Program-level outcomes vary significantly across UNO's academic offerings. General Studies, the university's largest program with 318 graduates, provides the highest aggregate return due to its scale, though individual earnings average around $36,398. Computer Science stands out with the strongest individual earnings at $68,778 for 81 graduates, reflecting strong demand for technical skills in Omaha's growing technology sector. Criminal Justice and Corrections Administration programs, with 192 graduates earning around $37,100, represent UNO's particular strength in public service career preparation. Psychology graduates, while earning more modest salaries around $27,556, often use their degrees as stepping stones to graduate school or specialized career paths.
The university's location in Omaha provides graduates access to a diverse regional economy with opportunities in finance, healthcare, technology, and government sectors. This geographic advantage, combined with UNO's practical approach to career preparation, helps explain why graduates consistently outperform earnings expectations despite the university's accessible admissions profile.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha maintains strong affordability across income levels, making it accessible to families throughout the economic spectrum. Low-income students pay about $9,908 annually after aid, well below national averages for public universities, while middle-income families see net costs around $12,407 per year. Even higher-income families pay a reasonable $17,566 annually, reflecting UNO's commitment to keeping education accessible regardless of family financial circumstances.
Debt levels remain manageable for most UNO students, with typical graduates leaving with about $19,000 in federal student loan debt — a moderate amount that aligns well with the university's median graduate earnings. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $13,990, representing a conservative approach to family borrowing that keeps total educational debt within reasonable bounds. The university's 0% federal loan default rate demonstrates that graduates can successfully manage their educational investments, with strong loan repayment patterns that exceed national benchmarks.
What makes UNO particularly sustainable financially is the alignment between what students pay and what they ultimately earn. With median 10-year earnings near $54,000, most graduates can comfortably handle standard loan repayment while building their careers. The university's combination of reasonable upfront costs, moderate borrowing levels, and solid earnings outcomes creates a financial pathway that works for families across different income levels without creating undue stress or risk.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
