Analysis
Is a business economics degree a safe bet when the school can't report actual graduate outcomes? Based on comparable programs nationally, students here likely earn around $53,000 in their first year after graduation—solidly middle-of-the-pack for this field. The estimated $21,000 in debt translates to a manageable 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio, suggesting graduates should be able to handle their payments on entry-level business salaries. However, it's worth noting that Nebraska's only other program with reported data (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) shows slightly higher earnings at $55,400, though that difference may simply reflect normal variation rather than a meaningful quality gap.
The real challenge here is uncertainty. When a program lacks sufficient graduate data for the Department of Education to publish outcomes, families are essentially flying blind—relying on national averages rather than knowing how this specific program's alumni actually perform in the job market. The 87% admission rate and moderate test scores suggest a solid regional university, and business economics graduates generally find employment in management, consulting, or analytics roles. But without seeing this school's actual track record, you're betting that their program performs at least as well as the typical business economics bachelor's nationwide.
The practical takeaway: The estimated numbers suggest reasonable value, but you're making that judgment without seeing this program's actual results. If your child has admission to UNL or can compare against schools with reported outcomes, that additional data point would reduce the guesswork considerably.
Where University of Nebraska at Omaha Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/managerial economics bachelors's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska
Business/Managerial Economics bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (2 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $8,370 | $53,219* | — | $21,125* | — | |
| $10,108 | $55,404* | $59,372 | $20,000* | 0.36 | |
| National Median | — | $53,219* | — | $22,250* | 0.42 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/managerial economics graduates
Economists
Environmental Economists
Financial Risk Specialists
Management Analysts
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
Survey Researchers
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Nebraska at Omaha, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 81 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.