Est. Earnings (1yr)
$55,819
Est. from national median (20 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$22,394
Est. from national median (13 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40 tells a straightforward story: graduates from similar insurance programs nationally typically earn enough to manage their debt load without excessive strain. While we're working with estimates here—UNL's small cohort size means the Department of Education suppresses actual outcomes—comparable bachelor's programs in insurance across the country suggest first-year earnings around $56,000 against roughly $22,000 in debt. That's less than half a year's salary in borrowing, which puts this well within the range financial advisors consider manageable.

Insurance as a field rewards credentials without demanding crushing debt to enter it. The national landscape shows these programs cluster tightly around the median, meaning there's less variation in outcomes than you'd see in fields like liberal arts or business. UNL's position as Nebraska's sole bachelor's-level insurance program gives it a local advantage for students who want to stay in-state, particularly in Omaha's insurance hub. The field itself offers steady employment prospects, though first-year earnings don't suggest explosive growth potential.

The practical takeaway: if your child is genuinely interested in risk management and insurance, the estimated debt burden appears reasonable relative to likely starting salaries. Just recognize these figures come from peer programs, not UNL's own track record, so there's more uncertainty than you'd have with hard data from this specific school.

Where University of Nebraska-Lincoln Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all insurance bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Insurance bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln$10,108$55,819*$22,394*
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison$11,205$78,796*$96,327$20,500*0.26
St. John's University-New YorkQueens$50,110$70,752*$85,642$24,125*0.34
Saint Joseph's University - PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia$51,340$66,523*$78,262$23,016*0.35
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia$22,082$66,080*$78,623$26,000*0.39
University of GeorgiaAthens$11,180$64,131*$76,315$22,394*0.35
National Median$55,819*$22,728*0.41
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with insurance graduates

Compensation and Benefits Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

$140,360/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Underwriters

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

$79,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists

Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.

$77,020/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators

Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

$76,790/yrJobs growth:

Insurance Sales Agents

Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

$60,370/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Appraisers of Personal and Business Property

Appraise and estimate the fair value of tangible personal or business property, such as jewelry, art, antiques, collectibles, and equipment. May also appraise land.

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-Lincoln, approximately 22% 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 20 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.