U of A vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

U of A vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or Nebraska? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Nebraska Lincoln than U of A ($18,322 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nebraska Lincoln are 15.7% lower than at University of Arizona ($14,120 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 33.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $3,492 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 47.9% higher at U of A than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $13,694 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (95% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 30.7% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($13,776 vs. $10,541).

U of A vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or Nebraska? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Nebraska and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 80 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming U of A students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Nebraska (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nebraska students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at U of A (3.48).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than U of A (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

U of A vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and Nebraska? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $2,700 lower median loan debt than Nebraska graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,700).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nebraska graduates ($196 vs. $224).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.