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Head-to-head comparison

University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Creighton University: 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

Creighton University

Net price / year
$31,568
Earnings, 10 years
$73,911
Payback
4.9 yrs
The verdict

Creighton University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $126,272 in 4.9 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $73,911 vs $56,887 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnCreighton University
Net price / yr$17,747$31,568
Total net cost$70,988$126,272
Median earnings, 10 yrs$56,887$73,911
Median debt$21,000$25,000
Payback8.3 yrs4.9 yrs
20-year net return$99,552$384,748

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 Creighton University?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, at $17,747 a year after aid versus $31,568 — a gap of $13,821 a year, or $55,284 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 Creighton University graduates earn more?

Creighton University graduates report a median $73,911 ten years after entry, $17,024 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 Creighton University?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln: its completers carry a median $21,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Creighton University, a difference of $4,000. 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?

83% of students finish at Creighton University, 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.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Creighton University: frequently asked questions

Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University a better value?
Creighton University. It clears its $126,272 net cost in about 4.9 years versus 8.3 years at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on median earnings of $73,911 vs $56,887 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: $17,747/yr net price after aid versus $31,568/yr at Creighton University — a difference of $13,821 a year, or about $55,284 over four years.
Do University of Nebraska-Lincoln or Creighton University graduates earn more?
Creighton University graduates earn a median $73,911 ten years after entry, versus $56,887 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln — a $17,024 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.