Head-to-head · 2026
College of Saint Mary vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Compare average net price ($16,590 at College of Saint Mary; $17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln), ROI score (8.19 vs 8.01), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,338 vs $56,887), and admissions selectivity (44.7% acceptance at College of Saint Mary; 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 | College of Saint Mary | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.19 ✓ | 8.01 |
| Avg net price | $16,590 ✓ | $17,747 |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,360 ✓ | $70,988 |
| In-state tuition | $24,510 | $10,434 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,510 | $28,584 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,338 | $56,887 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 44.7% | 87.5% |
| Graduation rate | 60.5% | 67% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 79.8% | 86% ✓ |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $21,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 445 | 19,178 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | 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 | College of Saint Mary | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,090 | $12,751 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,713 ✓ | $13,054 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,320 ✓ | $14,699 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,242 ✓ | $18,975 |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,898 | $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 | College of Saint Mary | University of Nebraska-Lincoln |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.7% | 8.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.7% | 1.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.5% | 0.2% |
| Psychology, General | 0.6% | 4.3% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 3.2% | 1.3% |
| Biology, General | 2.1% | 2.2% |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 3.5% | 0.2% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.2% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of Saint Mary reports the lower average net price by $1,157 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,628 difference over four years ($66,360 vs $70,988).
University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports $2,549 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($56,887 vs $54,338). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.8% at College of Saint Mary and 86% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Median federal debt among completers is $24,250 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
College of Saint Mary vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of Saint Mary is cheaper — average net price $16,590 per year vs $17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The annual difference of $1,157 adds up to about $4,628 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 $54,338 at College of Saint Mary. The gap in the federal data is $2,549. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
College of Saint Mary is more selective at 44.7% acceptance vs 87.5% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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.