Head-to-head · 2026
Chadron State College vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Compare average net price ($12,549 at Chadron State College; $17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln), ROI score (9.36 vs 8.01), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,002 vs $56,887), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chadron State College; 87.5% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Chadron State College | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.36 ✓ | 8.01 |
| Avg net price | $12,549 ✓ | $17,747 |
| 4-year avg net price | $50,196 ✓ | $70,988 |
| In-state tuition | $8,290 | $10,434 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,290 | $28,584 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,002 | $56,887 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 87.5% |
| Graduation rate | 50.4% | 67% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.2% | 86% ✓ |
| Median debt | $18,875 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,540 | 19,178 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1191 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Chadron State College | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,047 ✓ | $12,751 |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,090 ✓ | $13,054 |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,561 ✓ | $14,699 |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,674 ✓ | $18,975 |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,047 ✓ | $22,346 |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Chadron State College | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 21.7% | 8.8% |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 10.6% | 0% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.1% | 1.9% |
| Psychology, General | 3.7% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 4.8% | 2.9% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 6.3% | 1.3% |
| Plant Sciences | 5.4% | 1.5% |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 5.2% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Chadron State College reports the lower average net price by $5,198 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,792 difference over four years ($50,196 vs $70,988).
University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports $9,885 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($56,887 vs $47,002). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.2% at Chadron State College and 86% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Median federal debt among completers is $18,875 vs $21,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Chadron State College vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Chadron State College is cheaper — average net price $12,549 per year vs $17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The annual difference of $5,198 adds up to about $20,792 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $56,887 vs $47,002 at Chadron State College. The gap in the federal data is $9,885. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.