Computer and Information Sciences at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's computer science graduates start at $78,017—outearning 90% of similar programs nationally and landing in the 80th percentile among Nebraska schools. That's $16,000 above the national median and $15,000 above the state median, a substantial premium that reflects the program's competitive edge. For an institution with a 77% admission rate, these outcomes punch well above weight class, suggesting strong industry connections or curriculum quality that translates directly to job placement.

The debt picture reinforces the value: at $20,572, graduates owe roughly $6,500 less than the national median and $6,400 less than Nebraska's median. The 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio means students pay back about three months of salary—manageable even by tech industry standards. Earnings growth to $86,925 by year four shows solid upward trajectory, indicating these aren't inflated entry-level offers that plateau quickly. Among Nebraska's nine programs, only Doane edges slightly higher in starting salary, but likely at higher debt levels given private school pricing.

For Nebraska families, this represents one of the strongest in-state options for computer science without the lottery-odds admissions of elite private schools. The combination of above-average access (77% admission rate), below-average debt, and top-decile earnings makes this a straightforward financial win. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the core value proposition—strong tech earnings at reasonable Big Ten pricing—should hold steady.