University of Nebraska-Lincoln
#9 Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska- Graduation Rate
- 66% C+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $56,887 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $17,747 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 87% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.9 over 20 years. Ranked #9 in Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska.
Every $1 spent returns $19.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,341,164.
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 40% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #251-275
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 30/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Nebraska-Lincoln Matters
University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a public research university in Lincoln, NE ranked #251-275 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and 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
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 19,178
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Education
Why students choose University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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 87% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1098–1330. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $17,747 a year after grants and scholarships — 4% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $56,887 ten years after enrolling — 40% above the typical college, against $21,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.72 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of nearly 19,200 students and an acceptance rate of 87%, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a welcoming choice for many. It’s particularly suited for those interested in practical fields like Business & Marketing, Engineering, Communications, and Biology & Biomedical. Students here can expect a community that values collaboration and hands-on learning, which enhances their academic experience.
Looking at life after graduation, the average earnings for alumni ten years after completing their degree is $56,887. That’s a solid figure that reflects the potential for financial stability. The university's focus on employable skills means that graduates often find themselves in good positions, especially those who engage actively with the resources available on campus. Affordability is also a key point, with a net price of $17,747 after aid, making it accessible for many students.
When it comes to the practical side of financing education, the median debt for graduates stands at $21,000. This manageable debt load, combined with a supportive environment, means that students who thrive here are often those who take advantage of the university's resources, engage with their peers, and focus on their academic and career goals. The combination of affordability and strong programs can set graduates on a positive trajectory for their careers.
Rankings
- #9 Best Biology Colleges in Nebraska
- #10 Best Psychology Colleges in Nebraska
- #11 Best Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
- #11 Best Master's Programs in Nebraska
- #12 Best Online MBA Programs by ROI
- #13 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska
- #13 Best Education Colleges in Nebraska
- #14 Best Colleges in Nebraska
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Nebraska-Lincoln 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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Lincoln, Nebraska, University of Nebraska-Lincoln admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,191. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 87%
- Retention Rate
- 86%
- SAT Average
- 1191
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1098–1330
- ACT Range
- 22–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 85%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,658
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.42
- First-Gen Students
- 22%
- Applicants
- 19,102
- Admitted
- 15,022
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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is $28,584, 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 $17,747. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,751 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,434
- Out-of-State
- $28,584
- Avg Net Price
- $17,747
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 23%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 33%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $12,751
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $13,054
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $14,699
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,346
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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln — 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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Nebraska-Lincoln earn a median of $56,887, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,692
- 8 Years
- $53,022
- 10 Years
- $56,887
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 74%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (1,729)
- 42%
- 100% (1,729)
- 42%
- 100% (1,729)
- 42%
- 100% (1,729)
- 42%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Nebraska-Lincoln delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $17,747/year ($70,988 total). Graduates earn $56,887 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,412,152 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,341,164 (19.9× your investment). The median debt is $21,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 66% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $70,988
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,412,152
- Net Return
- $1,341,164
- ROI Multiple
- 19.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $17,747
- Median Debt
- $21,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 30/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 52/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 34/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-42,991,915
Top Programs
The fields University of Nebraska-Lincoln 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 21% $76,630 early-career
- Engineering 10% $84,379 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 7% $35,295 early-career
- Education 7% $46,906 early-career
- Communications 7% $48,160 early-career
- Psychology 6% $37,291 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $37,991 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 3% $81,888 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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln'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
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Nebraska-Lincoln? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Lincoln, Nebraska, University of Nebraska-Lincoln admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 87%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,191. The graduation rate is roughly 66%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is $28,584, 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 $17,747. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,751 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $21,000 in federal student loans.
Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Nebraska-Lincoln earn a median of $56,887, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 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.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Nebraska-Lincoln at #251-275 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 30/100, teaching at 33/100, and citation impact of 52/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Does University of Nebraska-Lincoln offer Early Decision?
No. University of Nebraska-Lincoln does not report a binding Early Decision plan (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Compare University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale, MI · Close peer68% grad $56,118 earn 83% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC · Close peer62% grad $55,146 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL · Close peer65% grad $62,117 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Montclair State UniversityMontclair, NJ · Close peer64% grad $61,415 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV · Close peer63% grad $55,939 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI · Close peer63% grad $57,624 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 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