Behavioral Sciences at Concordia University-Nebraska

Concordia's behavioral sciences program faces a significant challenge: graduates earn just $29,273 in their first year, landing in the 12th percentile nationally—well below the $35,410 national median. With $26,865 in debt, new graduates owe nearly a full year's salary, which can make those first years financially precarious.

Here's what complicates the picture: you're looking at data from fewer than 30 graduates, making it difficult to know whether these numbers represent a consistent pattern or just reflect this particular small cohort's outcomes. The 30% earnings growth to $38,130 by year four is encouraging and suggests the degree provides a foundation for career advancement, but that still leaves graduates below where many of their national peers started.

The state comparison is tricky to interpret since Concordia appears to be the only Nebraska institution reporting data for this program. The 60th percentile ranking within Nebraska may simply reflect limited competition rather than strong performance. For a program at an institution with a 90% acceptance rate, parents should consider whether the nearly $27,000 debt load makes sense given the entry-level salary. If your child is passionate about behavioral sciences and Concordia offers the right fit, the investment could work—but only if they understand they'll likely face a tight budget in those critical first years after graduation.