Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $76,833/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$42,833/yr |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dentistry. | Doctoral | $118,210 | $201,388 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $102,660 | $125,070 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Master | $101,308 | $88,020 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $90,678 | $49,506 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $64,608 | $85,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $59,450 | $15,000 |
| Medicine. | Doctoral | $57,205 | $187,596 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $55,286 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $53,358 | $15,000 |
| Public Health. | Master | $47,846 | $27,495 |
Analysis
University of Nebraska Medical Center gives you a strong financial return with unusually low risk. The median debt of $15,000 is small, and it stays flat across the top programs, so you graduate owing about a fifth of what you can expect to earn ten years out. That gap between debt and earnings is where the payoff comes from.
The bachelor programs here are all health careers, and they cluster tightly in pay. Nursing leads at $59,450, followed by clinical lab science and dental support services. These feed directly into Omaha's hospital and clinic economy, so the jobs are local and steady. Note that the school-wide median earnings of $76,833 sits well above any single bachelor program listed, which tells you the graduate and professional degrees, not the undergraduate ones, pull that number up.
This is a focused school, and that focus is the main risk. Every undergraduate path is tied to health care. If you want to work in a hospital, lab, or dental office, the return is real and the debt is manageable. If you are shopping for business, engineering, or liberal arts, this is not your school, and there is nothing here for you.
The financial fit is best if you know you want a clinical career and want to keep borrowing low. With $15,000 in typical debt and salaries starting in the mid-$50,000s, you clear your loans without strain. Check the net price tiers against your family income before committing, since the health-career focus means transferring out later carries real cost. For anyone certain about nursing or allied health in the Omaha region, the numbers work in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Nebraska Medical Center worth the cost?
UNMC offers strong ROI with graduates earning $76,833 annually and relatively low debt at $15,000 median. The specialized health programs command high salaries, making the investment worthwhile for most students.
Which University of Nebraska Medical Center programs have the best job prospects?
Dentistry leads with $118,210 average earnings, followed by pharmacy at $102,660 and allied health at $101,308. Even the lower-paying rehabilitation programs still earn $64,608, well above national averages.
How much debt do University of Nebraska Medical Center graduates typically have?
UNMC graduates carry a median debt of $15,000, which is notably low for a medical school. This manageable debt load combined with high earning potential creates favorable financial outcomes.
Does University of Nebraska Medical Center provide good financial aid?
The low median debt of $15,000 suggests UNMC provides substantial financial support relative to other medical institutions. However, individual aid packages vary significantly by program and financial need.