Est. Earnings (1yr)
$37,766
Est. from national median (10 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$27,000
Est. from national median (5 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable programs nationwide, a bachelor's in Legal Professions and Studies typically leads to first-year earnings around $38,000—substantially below the $43,000 that Nebraska's graduates in this field usually command. With an estimated $27,000 in debt, you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.71, which is manageable but hinges on whether your student can actually reach those higher Nebraska-level earnings. The gap between national and state outcomes is significant here, suggesting local market conditions matter considerably for these graduates.

The challenge is that legal professions programs produce varied outcomes depending on what specific career path students pursue. Some graduates leverage this degree into paralegal work, compliance roles, or law enforcement positions that pay decently, while others find themselves in administrative support roles at the lower end of the pay scale. Bellevue University's graduates in this field earn that $43,000 median, indicating stronger local outcomes are achievable—but without UNO's actual data, it's unclear whether their program delivers similar results or falls closer to the national average.

For parents, the question is whether your student has a clear career target that justifies this degree over alternatives. If they're considering law school eventually, a different undergraduate major might serve them better. If they want to work in legal support roles immediately, investigate UNO's placement track record and employer connections specifically—don't rely on national estimates when the local market appears to offer 15% higher starting salaries.

Where University of Nebraska at Omaha Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all legal professions and studies bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Nebraska

Legal Professions and Studies bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Nebraska (3 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha$8,370$37,766*—$27,000*—
Bellevue UniversityBellevue$8,886$42,907*—$30,148*0.70
National Median—$37,766*—$27,000*0.71
* Estimated from similar programs
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 10 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.