Economics at University of Nebraska at Omaha

An economics bachelor's degree typically demands four years of rigorous study—intermediate calculus, econometrics, statistical methods—and at UNO, students accumulate an estimated $21,650 in debt along the way. Based on comparable economics programs nationwide, first-year earnings around $51,700 suggest this debt load is manageable, with graduates owing roughly 42% of their starting salary. That's well within the conventional "affordable" threshold, though it's worth noting that Nebraska's economics programs typically produce slightly higher earnings (median $54,827) while carrying heavier debt loads (median $26,250).

The limited sample size that necessitates these estimates could signal either a smaller program with more individualized attention or simply year-to-year variation in graduate tracking. What matters more is that economics degrees, nationally and in Nebraska, show relatively consistent outcomes—these aren't fields where program quality swings wildly. UNO's accessible admissions (87% acceptance rate) mean your child can enter this program without the stress of highly selective admissions, though the rigor of upper-division economics coursework remains demanding regardless of where it's studied.

The practical takeaway: if your child demonstrates genuine aptitude for quantitative reasoning and sustained interest in economic analysis, this debt-to-earnings picture suggests a reasonable investment. The estimates indicate alignment with typical economics program outcomes, though confirming actual graduate trajectories directly with UNO's career services would clarify whether their specific graduates match these peer-based projections.