Doane University
#8 Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska- Graduation Rate
- 56% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $53,316 B
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $26,364 D
- 54% more than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 98% F
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C- overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 12.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska.
Every $1 spent returns $12.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,165,532.
What The Data Says
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A C- overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Earnings 31% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $12.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Doane University Matters
Doane University is a private university in Crete, NE and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Private University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 978
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Education, Humanities
Why students choose Doane University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 98% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $26,364 a year after grants and scholarships — 54% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $53,316 ten years after enrolling — 31% above the typical college, against $25,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 50% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 98%, Doane University is an accessible option for many students, particularly those interested in fields like Business & Marketing, Education, Humanities, Engineering, and Visual & Performing Arts. This welcoming environment encourages a diverse range of students to pursue their passions and build a solid foundation for their future careers. The relatively small enrollment of 978 means that students can expect more personalized attention from faculty, which can be a game-changer for those who thrive in a close-knit academic setting.
Looking at life after graduation, students can anticipate an average earning of $53,316 within ten years of completing their degree. This figure reflects the potential for good financial stability, especially for those who actively engage with their programs and career development opportunities. While we don’t have specific mobility data, it’s clear that graduates are positioned to move into promising roles in their chosen fields, especially with the right support and networking during their studies.
When it comes to finances, the net price after aid sits at $26,364, which is quite manageable for many families. The median debt at graduation is $25,000, a reasonable amount compared to national averages. Students who tend to thrive at Doane are often those who take advantage of the supportive resources available and are proactive in their education, making the most of both academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Rankings
- #8 Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska
- #9 Best Psychology Colleges in Nebraska
- #11 Best Nursing Colleges in Nebraska
- #11 Best Education Colleges in Nebraska
- #12 Best Colleges in Nebraska
- #12 Best Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
- #12 Best Master's Programs in Nebraska
- #12 Best Online Colleges in Nebraska
Can I Get In?
How selective Doane University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Doane University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Crete, Nebraska, Doane University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 98%
- Retention Rate
- 79%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 41%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,775
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 30%
- Applicants
- 1,953
- Admitted
- 1,481
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Doane University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Doane University is $43,985, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,364. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,129 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $43,985
- Out-of-State
- $43,985
- Avg Net Price
- $26,364
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 27%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 66%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $21,129
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $24,188
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $24,225
- Family Income $110K+
- $29,410
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Doane University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Doane University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Doane University earn a median of $53,316, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $46,009
- 8 Years
- $50,194
- 10 Years
- $53,316
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.47x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (148)
- 55%
- 100% (148)
- 55%
- 100% (148)
- 55%
- 100% (148)
- 55%
How Doane Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Doane University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Doane University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $26,364/year ($105,456 total). Graduates earn $53,316 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,270,988 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,165,532 (12.1× your investment). The median debt is $25,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 56% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $105,456
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,270,988
- Net Return
- $1,165,532
- ROI Multiple
- 12.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $26,364
- Median Debt
- $25,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 56%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Doane University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Doane University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.45%, well above the typical college. About 5.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.45%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 24.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 5.9%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $104,073
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $7,302,870
- Investment Income
- $-7,774,548
Top Programs
The fields Doane University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 20% $59,436 early-career
- Psychology 8% $36,562 early-career
- Education 7% $29,935 early-career
- Humanities 7% $33,722 early-career
- Engineering 6%
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $35,271 early-career
- Health Professions 5% $72,503 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $29,715 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Doane University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Doane University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Crete, Nebraska, Doane University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 98%. The graduation rate is roughly 56%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Doane University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Doane University is $43,985, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $26,364. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $21,129 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $25,000 in federal student loans.
Is Doane University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Doane University earn a median of $53,316, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Doane University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Doane University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.45%, well above the typical college. About 5.9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 24.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $76,600, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Doane University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Doane University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Doane University.
- Franklin Pierce UniversityRindge, NH · Close peer50% grad $53,353 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Lesley UniversityCambridge, MA · Close peer60% grad $51,173 earn 97% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- William Jessup UniversityRocklin, CA · Close peer58% grad $56,257 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Grand View UniversityDes Moines, IA · Close peer55% grad $52,824 earn 99% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Mercy College of Health SciencesDes Moines, IA · Close peer56% grad $62,234 earn 100% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- Rockford UniversityRockford, IL · Close peer43% grad $54,794 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Doane University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Doane University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note