Head-to-head · 2026
University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Western Nebraska Community College
Compare average net price ($17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln; $5,474 at Western Nebraska Community College), ROI score (8.01 vs 17.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($56,887 vs $38,729), and admissions context (87.5% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Open / not reported at Western Nebraska Community College) 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 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.01 | 17.69 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $17,747 | $5,474 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $70,988 | $21,896 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,434 | $3,840 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $28,584 | $4,410 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $56,887 ✓ | $38,729 |
| Acceptance rate | 87.5% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 67% ✓ | 36.6% |
| Retention rate | 86% ✓ | 52.8% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 19,178 | 893 |
| 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 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,751 | $4,420 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,054 | $3,808 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,699 | $7,099 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,975 | $9,904 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,346 | $11,714 ✓ |
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 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.8% | 12.4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 0.1% | 8.4% |
| Psychology, General | 4.3% | 1.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.9% | 3.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 2.1% | 3.3% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.8% | 2.4% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.2% | 4.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 2.9% | 1.8% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Nebraska Community College reports the lower average net price by $12,273 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $49,092 difference over four years ($21,896 vs $70,988).
University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports $18,158 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($56,887 vs $38,729). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 86% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 52.8% at Western Nebraska Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $21,000 vs $9,000, 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
University of Nebraska-Lincoln vs Western Nebraska Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Nebraska Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,474 per year vs $17,747 at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The annual difference of $12,273 adds up to about $49,092 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 $38,729 at Western Nebraska Community College. The gap in the federal data is $18,158. 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.