Nebraska Wesleyan University
#2 Best Colleges in Nebraska- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,405 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,327 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 80% C
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 18.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years. Ranked #2 in Best Colleges in Nebraska.
Every $1 spent returns $18.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,311,037.
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 38% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $18.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Nebraska Wesleyan University Matters
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private university in Lincoln, 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
- 1,453
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- 71
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Education
Why students choose Nebraska Wesleyan 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 80% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1020–1290. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,327 a year after grants and scholarships — 7% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,405 ten years after enrolling — 38% above the typical college, against $26,970 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 94% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.72 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an acceptance rate of 80%, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a welcoming choice for students seeking a solid education in a supportive environment. The school is particularly well-suited for those interested in programs like Biology and Biomedical, Business and Marketing, Psychology, Education, and Health Professions. These areas reflect a commitment to equipping students with practical skills and knowledge that can be applied in various career paths.
Life after graduation looks promising for Nebraska Wesleyan students, with a median earnings figure of $56,405 ten years post-graduation. This suggests that many alumni find good opportunities in their fields. The university's affordability is also notable, with a net price of $18,327 after financial aid, making it accessible for a broad range of families. While the mobility rate isn't available, the solid earnings data indicates that graduates can establish themselves in the workforce effectively.
When it comes to the practical aspects, students here tend to graduate with a median debt of $26,970, which may be manageable given their earnings potential. The supportive community and diverse program offerings create an environment where students who are proactive and engaged often thrive. Those who take advantage of the resources available, including academic advising and career services, are likely to find their footing in their chosen fields after graduation.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, Nebraska Wesleyan University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,189. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 80%
- Retention Rate
- 75%
- SAT Average
- 1189
- ACT Midpoint
- 26
- SAT Range
- 1020–1290
- ACT Range
- 22–27
- Full-Time Faculty
- 62%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,745
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 11:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.45
- First-Gen Students
- 26%
- Applicants
- 2,370
- Admitted
- 1,931
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 Nebraska Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nebraska Wesleyan University is $43,572, 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 $18,327. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,925 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,970 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $43,572
- Out-of-State
- $43,572
- Avg Net Price
- $18,327
- Median Debt
- $26,970
- Pell Grant Rate
- 34%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 54%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $14,925
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $16,974
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,594
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,652
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 Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $56,405, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,667
- 8 Years
- $52,815
- 10 Years
- $56,405
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.48x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (195)
- 53%
- 100% (195)
- 53%
- 100% (195)
- 53%
- 100% (195)
- 53%
How Nebraska 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Nebraska Wesleyan University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,327/year ($73,308 total). Graduates earn $56,405 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,384,345 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,311,037 (18.9× your investment). The median debt is $26,970, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $73,308
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,384,345
- Net Return
- $1,311,037
- ROI Multiple
- 18.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,327
- Median Debt
- $26,970
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
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 Nebraska Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.61%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.61%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 16.1%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 3.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $119,833
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $5,398,000
- Investment Income
- $-2,783,000
Top Programs
The fields Nebraska Wesleyan 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 17% $68,105 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 16%
- Health Professions 11% $80,078 early-career
- Education 8% $47,420 early-career
- Social Sciences 6%
- Visual & Performing Arts 6% $27,463 early-career
- Psychology 6% $38,698 early-career
- Mathematics & Statistics 3%
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 Nebraska Wesleyan 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
- B-AI/ML Engineer$156,000 · 23% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Computer Vision Engineer$145,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CPhysicist$142,850 · 5% growthAdaptable 66
- CAstronomer$142,850 · 4% growthAdaptable 66
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nebraska Wesleyan University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, Nebraska Wesleyan University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 80%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,189. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nebraska Wesleyan University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nebraska Wesleyan University is $43,572, 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 $18,327. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $14,925 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $26,970 in federal student loans.
Is Nebraska Wesleyan University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $56,405, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Nebraska Wesleyan University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.61%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is narrower: only about 3.8% of students come from the bottom income quintile, typical of more selective, higher-income institutions. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 16.1% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $88,200, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Nebraska Wesleyan University.
- University of EvansvilleEvansville, IN · Close peer68% grad $53,770 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Wartburg CollegeWaverly, IA · Close peer66% grad $56,201 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Saint Francis-Fort WayneFort Wayne, IN · Close peer58% grad $55,362 earn 96% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Saint Mary's CollegeNotre Dame, IN · Close peer73% grad $59,354 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's City, MD · Close peer69% grad $60,110 earn 69% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Albion CollegeAlbion, MI · Close peer59% grad $58,799 earn 81% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Nebraska Wesleyan 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 Nebraska Wesleyan University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.72, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note