At $13,843/yr net price, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture graduates earn $56,887/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,887/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,843 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,372 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,887/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,887/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 56.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,670/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,184/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,931/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,799/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,088/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Production Operations. | Associate | $16,345 | $11,314 |
The Risk Factor
56.9% of students at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture gives you a solid financial return for a two-year school. You spend about $14,000 a year net and walk out earning a median of $56,887 after ten years, with median debt of just $21,000. That debt-to-earnings gap is the number that matters here, and it favors you.
The one program with earnings data, Agricultural Production Operations, is where the picture gets complicated. Its median earnings sit at $16,345, far below the school-wide $56,887. If ag production is your plan, expect low early pay and treat the roughly $11,000 in debt tied to that program as the ceiling you want to stay under. The school-wide median suggests graduates in other tracks or those who move into farm management, ag business, or ranch operations pull the number up. Do not assume the strong overall figure applies to every field of study here.
The main risk is regional and narrow. This is a rural Curtis campus built around agriculture, so your outcomes are tied to Nebraska farm and ranch labor demand. That market is stable but not high-paying at entry, and the low program-level earnings back that up. A 57% graduation rate also means a real share of students leave without finishing, and leaving with debt and no credential is the worst outcome.
This school fits you if you are staying in Nebraska agriculture and want a low-debt path into hands-on ag work. If you come from a family earning under $30,000, your net price drops to about $10,670, which keeps the math manageable. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $18,000 with less aid cushioning the cost. Look elsewhere if you want a career outside agriculture or need high starting pay right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture worth the cost?
With a net price of $13,843 annually and graduates earning $56,887 after 10 years, the school offers reasonable value for agricultural careers. However, the 57% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't complete their programs.
What programs at Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture have the best ROI?
Agricultural Production Operations is the main program, costing $16,345 total. Given the school's focus on hands-on agricultural training, graduates typically enter mid-level farming and ranching positions rather than high-paying management roles.
How much debt do Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture graduates have?
The median debt is $21,000, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. With starting salaries around $57,000, most graduates can handle this debt load if they complete the program and find steady agricultural work.
Should I attend Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture or a four-year university?
This school makes sense if you want direct entry into agricultural work without the time and cost of a bachelor's degree. Four-year agricultural programs typically lead to higher salaries but cost significantly more upfront.