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Creighton University — ROI, Cost & Payback

Private nonprofit · Omaha, NE · 4,348 students

The verdict

Creighton University charges a net price of $31,568/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $126,272. Graduates earn a median $73,911 ten years after entry, $25,551/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 4.9 years — a 20-year net return of $384,748, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Creighton University's 4.9-year payback ranks #411 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 68% of them, and #3 of 27 in Nebraska.

Better ROI than 68% of US colleges#411 of 1,280
Weakest ROIStrongest ROI
$31,568
Net price / yr
Scorecard, 2026
$73,911
Median earnings, 10 yrs
Scorecard, 2026
4.9 yrs
Payback
Our math, 2026
80%
Admission rate
Scorecard, 2026
Creighton University: cost, earnings and payback
MeasureValueSource
Net price (after aid)$31,568/yrScorecard, 2026
Total net cost (4 yrs)$126,272our math
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry$73,911Scorecard, 2026
Earnings premium over HS baseline$25,551/yrour math
Median debt (completers)$25,000Scorecard, 2026
Payback4.9 yrsour math
20-year net return$384,748our 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.

Creighton University: frequently asked questions

Is Creighton University worth the cost?
On the numbers, yes. Creighton University charges $31,568/yr after aid ($126,272 over 4 years), and graduates earn a median $73,911 ten years out — $25,551/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. That clears the cost in 4.9 years and returns $384,748 net over 20 years, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast.
How long does a Creighton University degree take to pay off?
About 4.9 years. We divide the $126,272 four-year net cost by the $25,551/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 Creighton University cost after financial aid?
The median net price is $31,568/yr — about $126,272 over 4 years. That is what the typical aided student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the published sticker price.
How does Creighton University compare to other Nebraska colleges?
It ranks #3 of 27 Nebraska colleges we track by payback. Its $73,911 median earnings beat the national median of $43,552, and its $31,568 net price is above the national median of $16,906.