Head-to-head comparison
University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Metropolitan Community College Area: 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 Omaha, NE
Metropolitan Community College Area
- Net price / year
- $4,982
- Earnings, 10 years
- $38,773
- Payback
- No payback
University of Nebraska-Lincoln has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $70,988 in 8.3 years versus not at all at Metropolitan Community College Area, on median earnings of $56,887 vs $38,773 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Metropolitan Community College Area |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,747 | $4,982 |
| Total net cost | $70,988 | $9,964 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $56,887 | $38,773 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $8,217 |
| Payback | 8.3 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $99,552 | -$201,704 |
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 Metropolitan Community College Area?
Metropolitan Community College Area, at $4,982 a year after aid versus $17,747 — a gap of $12,765 a year, or $61,024 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 Metropolitan Community College Area graduates earn more?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates report a median $56,887 ten years after entry, $18,114 more than the $38,773 at Metropolitan Community College Area. 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 Metropolitan Community College Area?
Metropolitan Community College Area: its completers carry a median $8,217 in federal loans versus $21,000 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a difference of $12,783. 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 29% at Metropolitan Community College Area. 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.