Head-to-head comparison
University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Bryan College of Health Sciences: which has better ROI?
Option A Lincoln, NE
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Net price / year
- $17,747
- Earnings, 10 years
- $56,887
- Payback
- 8.3 yrs
Option B Lincoln, NE
Bryan College of Health Sciences
- Net price / year
- $26,919
- Earnings, 10 years
- $70,845
- Payback
- 4.8 yrs
Bryan College of Health Sciences has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $107,676 in 4.8 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $70,845 vs $56,887 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Bryan College of Health Sciences |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,747 | $26,919 |
| Total net cost | $70,988 | $107,676 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,887 | $70,845 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $24,985 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | 4.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $99,552 | $342,024 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Bryan College of Health Sciences?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at $17,747 a year after aid versus $26,919 — a gap of $9,172 a year, or $36,688 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Bryan College of Health Sciences graduates earn more?
Bryan College of Health Sciences graduates report a median $70,845 ten years after entry, $13,958 more than the $56,887 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Bryan College of Health Sciences?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $24,985 at Bryan College of Health Sciences, a difference of $3,985. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Bryan College of Health Sciences, against 67% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.