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Head-to-head comparison

University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Clarkson College: which has better ROI?

Public, Lincoln NE · vs · Private nonprofit, Omaha NE

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Lincoln, NE

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Net price / year
$17,747
Earnings, 10 years
$56,887
Payback
8.3 yrs

Option B Omaha, NE

Clarkson College

Net price / year
$19,241
Earnings, 10 years
$64,876
Payback
4.7 yrs
The verdict

Clarkson College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,964 in 4.7 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $64,876 vs $56,887 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnClarkson College
Net price / yr$17,747$19,241
Total net cost$70,988$76,964
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,887$64,876
Median debt$21,000$23,716
Payback8.3 yrs4.7 yrs
20-year net return$99,552$253,356

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 Clarkson College?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at $17,747 a year after aid versus $19,241 — a gap of $1,494 a year, or $5,976 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 Clarkson College graduates earn more?

Clarkson College graduates report a median $64,876 ten years after entry, $7,989 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 Clarkson College?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $23,716 at Clarkson College, a difference of $2,716. 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?

67% of students finish at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, against 47% at Clarkson College. 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.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Clarkson College: frequently asked questions

Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Clarkson College a better value?
Clarkson College. It clears its $76,964 net cost in about 4.7 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $64,876 vs $56,887 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Clarkson College?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: $17,747/yr net price after aid versus $19,241/yr at Clarkson College — a difference of $1,494 a year, or about $5,976 over four years.
Do University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Clarkson College graduates earn more?
Clarkson College graduates earn a median $64,876 ten years after entry, versus $56,887 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln — a $7,989 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.