Computer Science at University of Nebraska at Omaha

UNO's computer science program outperforms both state and national benchmarks while keeping debt manageable—a rare combination at this price point. Starting salaries of $74,000 beat the national median by $3,000 and eclipse the Nebraska median by $11,000, placing graduates in the 60th percentile statewide. More impressively, earnings jump 30% to $96,000 by year four, suggesting graduates land positions with genuine advancement potential rather than hitting early career ceilings.

The debt picture strengthens the value case. At $21,600, graduates carry roughly $1,600 less than the national median for CS programs, translating to a 0.29 debt-to-earnings ratio—manageable on a tech salary. While UNO's debt sits slightly above Nebraska's median, the earnings premium more than compensates. Notably, Creighton's CS grads earn $22,000 less despite presumably higher tuition, though program differences may explain some of this gap.

For families seeking affordable tech credentials, this delivers. An 87% admission rate makes it accessible, and the earnings trajectory shows employers value the degree. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the data suggests UNO successfully places graduates in Nebraska's growing tech sector without the debt burden of flagship programs elsewhere.