Metropolitan Community College Area vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, NE | University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +49% | +90% |
| 10-year net gain | $6,302 | $70,549 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $46,926 | $59,919 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $45,976 | $47,017 |
| Average net price | $4,982 | $17,747 |
| Median debt | $8,217 | $21,000 |
| Break-even | 6.7 yrs | 5.3 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 67% |
| Admission rate | — | 88% |
Metropolitan Community College Area
Break-even
+$6,302 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Strong return
+$70,549 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.