At $24,016/yr net price, Concordia University-Nebraska graduates earn $52,415/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $18,415/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,016 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $96,064 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $52,415/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$18,415/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,320/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,192/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,880/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,197/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,363/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $60,094 | $33,972 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $57,137 | $33,610 |
| Public Health. | Master | $48,935 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Certificate | $48,265 | |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. | Master | $47,930 | |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $46,999 | $33,454 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master | $45,696 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $45,696 | $33,454 |
| Religious Education. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $28,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Bachelor | $40,458 | $23,000 |
The Risk Factor
64.1% of students at Concordia University-Nebraska graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 36% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Concordia University-Nebraska gives you a middling financial return, and the median earnings ($52,415 ten years out) don't match up with what its listed programs actually pay early on. The gap matters because the school leans heavily toward teaching and ministry, and those fields show up at the bottom of the earnings list.
Every top program here is a low payer. Religious Education leads at under $42,000, and it saddles you with the highest debt of the bunch. Teacher education, the school's core, runs from roughly $32,000 to $39,000 depending on your track, with debt often near a full year's median earnings. Business is your best relative bet for salary versus debt, but even that tops out around $40,000. None of these programs clear $42,000, so if you're borrowing the median $25,750, expect a slow climb out.
The specific risk here is field concentration. You're paying private-college prices for careers with public-sector ceilings. A Nebraska teaching salary is predictable and modest, so the debt-to-pay math stays tight for years. If you take on more than the median debt, the strain gets real.
This school fits you if you already know you want to teach or go into ministry, you value the religious mission, and you can hold your borrowing down. The 77.61% retention and 64.10% grad rate mean most people who start do finish, which lowers the risk of paying without a degree.
On price, the tiers move less than you'd expect: families under $30,000 pay about $19,320, while those over $110,000 pay $26,363. That's a narrow $7,000 spread, so lower-income families get real help but still face a serious bill. If you want a high-earning major, look elsewhere, because this school doesn't list one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Concordia University-Nebraska worth the cost?
With graduates earning $52,415 ten years after enrollment and median debt of $25,750, Concordia University-Nebraska offers a reasonable return on investment. The debt-to-income ratio is manageable, though earnings lag behind many four-year colleges.
What are the highest paying majors at Concordia University-Nebraska?
Business/Commerce graduates earn the most at $60,094 annually, followed by Educational Administration at $57,137. Most other programs hover around $48,000, which is modest for college graduates.
How much debt do Concordia University-Nebraska students typically graduate with?
The median debt load is $25,750, which is below the national average. However, with a 64% graduation rate, about one in three students leave without completing their degree.
Does Concordia University-Nebraska provide good financial aid?
The net price of $24,016 per year suggests decent financial aid for a private college. Students should compare this carefully against potential earnings in their chosen field before enrolling.