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75.8%Acceptance
$40,491Tuition
981Students
56%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$53,316Earnings
#25 in NebraskaPrivate nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindNJCAAStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Doane University

Doane University builds teachers and business leaders in small-town Nebraska. This liberal arts college enrolls just 981 students in Crete, a town removed from major cities. The school has cultivated strong education and business programs since 1872. Students benefit from an 11:1 student-faculty ratio that enables close mentoring relationships.

The financial picture tells a mixed story. Students pay an average net price of $28,071 after aid, while the sticker price reaches $40,491. Graduates earn a median of $53,316 ten years after graduation. Students typically leave with $25,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $265. The employment rate hits 98.2%, suggesting strong job placement despite modest earnings. About 77% of students take federal loans to finance their education.

Athletics dominate campus life with 774 student-athletes competing across 22 varsity sports. That means nearly 80% of students play a sport, creating an intensely athletic culture. The Tigers compete at the NJCAA level with $5.2 million in athletic scholarships distributed annually. The 4-year graduation rate of 58.64% reflects the challenges many small colleges face with student retention, though most who stay do graduate.

Academics & Faculty

Doane University operates as a small liberal arts college where the 11:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom environments and personalized attention from professors. The college has built its reputation around strong education and business programs, preparing students for careers in teaching, administration, and corporate leadership. With 981 total students, classes remain small and discussion-based rather than lecture-heavy. The 58.64% four-year graduation rate reflects the challenges some students face despite the supportive environment. Doane's liberal arts foundation means students explore diverse subjects before specializing, developing critical thinking skills valued by graduate schools and employers. The college emphasizes hands-on learning and undergraduate research opportunities across all majors.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
11:1
Full-Time Faculty
42.7%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
58.6%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
55.9%
Retention Rate
72.4%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$53,316
Carnegie Classification
Master's University (Large)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Bachelor $61,020
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. Master $58,221
Educational Administration and Supervision. Master $57,072
Accounting and Related Services. Bachelor $50,022
Curriculum and Instruction. Master $46,087
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $44,077
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. Master $35,772
Sociology. Bachelor $34,348
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Bachelor $33,993
Human Services, General. Bachelor $31,314

View all 65 programs →

Campus Life

Crete sits 25 miles southwest of Lincoln, putting students in classic small-town Nebraska. You'll need heavy winter coats for frigid January temperatures and light layers for humid summers. With 981 total students and housing for only 606, about 62% of students live on campus in a tight-knit community where the 11:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name.

The Tigers compete in 22 varsity sports with 774 total athletes, making nearly 79% of students varsity competitors. This creates an intensely athletic campus culture where games draw big crowds from the small student body. Weekends often revolve around sporting events, especially football and basketball games that unite the campus. Students frequently head to Lincoln for bigger city amenities or stay local for outdoor activities around the prairie landscape. Greek life and campus organizations fill social calendars, while the strong education and business programs create study groups that often turn into lasting friendships. The 72% retention rate reflects students who find their place in this close community.
Setting
Town-Distant
Housing Capacity
606 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1872

Campus Safety (2023)

6 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Burglary 1 1 0 0
Rape 2 0 0 0
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 0 0 0
Stalking 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
15°–36°F
July Avg
66°–88°F
Annual Precipitation
29.5"
Annual Snowfall
-754.9"

Student Demographics

Doane draws primarily Nebraska residents who value small-town education close to home. The student body leans slightly male, reflecting the school's practical focus on business and education rather than traditional liberal arts demographics. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, showing Doane serves working families seeking affordable private education. The 981 total enrollment creates tight-knit campus community where students know professors personally. Most come from rural and suburban Nebraska backgrounds, attracted by the 11:1 student-faculty ratio and hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for careers in their home state.
Men
54.3%
Women
45.7%
White
68.0%
Black
4.2%
Hispanic
10.2%
Asian
1.0%
In-State Students
64.6%
Pell Grant Recipients
28.0%

Location

Doane University sits in Crete, Nebraska, about 25 miles southwest of Lincoln. The town has around 7,000 residents and maintains a classic small college town atmosphere. With 981 students on campus, Doane represents a significant presence in this rural farming community. The surrounding area features rolling plains and agricultural land typical of southeastern Nebraska. Crete offers basic amenities but students often travel to Lincoln for broader entertainment and internship opportunities. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio reflects the intimate campus environment where professors know students by name. The setting provides a quiet, focused academic environment away from urban distractions. Students considering colleges in Nebraska may also compare Doane University with similar schools in the region.
Address
Crete, Nebraska 68333
Miller Pond fountain bridge Art Ed building
Miller Pond fountain bridge Art Ed building
Cassel Open Air Theatre at Doane College
Cassel Open Air Theatre at Doane College

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$53,316
Median Earnings (5 years)
$55,783
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$38,300
Loan Repayment Rate
64.6%
Monthly Loan Payment
$265/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Doane University?

Doane University accepts 75.83% of applicants, making it accessible for most students who apply. This private liberal arts college in Nebraska looks beyond just test scores when evaluating candidates for its close-knit academic community.

How much does Doane University cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $28,071 after financial aid, less than the sticker price of $40,491 in tuition. The school provides institutional grants averaging $29,479 to nearly a quarter of students, helping make this private education more affordable.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Doane University?

Doane maintains an 11:1 student-faculty ratio with just 981 total students, creating an intimate learning environment. This small liberal arts setting allows professors to know students personally and provide individualized attention in education and business programs.

What do graduates earn after attending Doane University?

Doane graduates earn a median salary of $53,316 ten years after graduation, with a strong 98.2% employment rate. Most students graduate with $25,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $265, making their investment manageable given career outcomes.

Where is Doane University located and what is campus life like?

Doane sits in Crete, Nebraska, a town-distant setting that houses 606 students on campus out of 981 total enrollment. The Tigers compete in 22 varsity sports through NJCAA athletics, with 774 student-athletes receiving over $5 million in athletic scholarships.

How long does it take students to graduate from Doane University?

Doane has a 58.64% four-year graduation rate and 55.90% six-year rate, with a 72.38% retention rate for first-year students. Founded in 1872, this historic institution operates on a semester system and maintains its reputation for strong teacher preparation and business programs.