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Concordia University-Nebraska — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Seward, NE · 1,283 students

The verdict

Concordia University-Nebraska charges a net price of $23,965/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $95,860. Graduates earn a median $52,415 ten years after entry, $4,055/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 23.6 years — a 20-year net return of $-14,760, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Concordia University-Nebraska's 23.6-year payback ranks #1,094 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 15% of them, and #12 of 27 in Nebraska.

Better ROI than 15% of US colleges#1,094 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$23,965
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$52,415
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
23.6 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
86%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Concordia University-Nebraska: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$23,965/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$95,860our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$52,415Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$4,055/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,750Scorecard, 2026
Payback23.6 yrsour math
20-year net return$-14,760our math

College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.

How we compute this. Payback = total net cost ÷ annual earnings premium, where the premium is median earnings 10 years after entry minus the $48,360 baseline (BLS 2024 median for a high-school-diploma worker 25+). Total net cost = net price × 4 years. We do not discount future dollars. The institution-wide earnings figure blends every major — a specific program's payback can be far better or worse. Full method on the methodology page.

Concordia University-Nebraska: frequently asked questions

Is Concordia University-Nebraska worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Concordia University-Nebraska charges $23,965/yr after aid ($95,860 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $52,415 ten years out — $4,055/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 23.6 years and returns $-14,760 net over 20 years, a weak return — the cost is hard to justify on earnings alone.
How long does a Concordia University-Nebraska degree take to pay off?
About 23.6 years. We divide the $95,860 four-year net cost by the $4,055/yr earnings premium over the high-school baseline. It is a floor, not a ceiling — mid-career raises pay it back faster.
How much does Concordia University-Nebraska cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $23,965/yr — about $95,860 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Concordia University-Nebraska compare to other Nebraska colleges?
It ranks #12 of 27 Nebraska colleges we track by payback. Its $52,415 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $23,965 net price is above the national median of $16,906.