Union Adventist University
Lincoln, Nebraska · Private Nonprofit · 100.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 43/100 · Poor Value
Union Adventist University earns a Poor Value tier with an ROI score of 43 out of 100, but as with many faith-based institutions the institutional number masks a strong nursing program. The Lincoln, Nebraska Seventh-day Adventist university posts a sticker tuition of $29,334 with a $23,716 net price after aid, putting four-year cost-of-attendance at $94,864. The 11.7-year payback period is moderate but the 0.746 debt-to-earnings ratio is elevated. Median 6-year earnings of $36,200 climb meaningfully to $55,045 by year 10, indicating real career progression for graduates who complete. Median debt is $27,000. The 52.3% completion rate is mediocre and is the leading drag on the score; nearly half of entrants don't finish. The 77.0% three-year repayment rate is solid and one of the better signals on this profile. With only two programs reported in Scorecard data and an open admissions policy, Union Adventist is a small denominational institution best evaluated as a nursing program plus a small liberal arts wrapper.
The data raises concerns about Union Adventist University
These metrics fall below the thresholds most financial advisors recommend for a sound college investment. Review them carefully before committing.
- ROI Score43/100 - Poor Value tier (below 45). Most 4-year schools we track score 60 or higher.
Union Adventist University
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $29,334/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $29,334/yr |
| Average net price | $23,716/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $94,864 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,045 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,200 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 11.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 52.3% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 471 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Union Adventist University is $29,334/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $23,716/year, or roughly $94,864 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $19,477/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $26,653/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $55,045 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.75 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,477 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,740 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,957 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,444 |
| $110,001+ | $26,653 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Families earning $0-30K pay $19,477 net annually, with $30,001-48,000 households paying less at $16,740. That four-year burden of roughly $67K-$78K is workable for nursing-bound completers earning $75K but tight for any other major track. Pell-eligible Adventist students should evaluate Union Adventist's denominational scholarships before relying on standard federal aid.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
Middle-income brackets show an unusual pattern: $48,001-75,000 households pay $24,957, slightly more than $75,001-110,000 households at $24,444. That mild inversion suggests the upper-middle bracket gets slightly better aid than the lower-middle bracket, possibly through merit or denominational awards. Four-year costs near $98K-$100K are heavy for non-nursing majors.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families above $110K pay $26,653 net annually, or $107K over four years. For nursing-bound students this is sustainable on $75K starting salaries; for any other major the math is hard to justify versus University of Nebraska-Lincoln or other regional public alternatives at materially lower out-of-pocket cost.
Earnings by Major
Top 2 most popular majors at Union Adventist University with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $79,420 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $59,681 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Union Adventist's flagship program with 28 graduates per year, and the financial outcomes are excellent. First-year median earnings of $75,244 climb to $79,420 by year four, against $31,000 median debt for a 0.412 debt-to-earnings ratio and B ROI grade. The Adventist Health system's national network of hospitals provides a clear placement pipeline for graduates, and Nebraska/Midwest nursing labor markets remain tight. This program is the financial reason to attend Union Adventist.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration is Union Adventist's secondary program with 18 graduates per year. First-year earnings of $44,045 climb to $59,681 by year four, but median debt and ROI grade are not reported, likely due to cohort size. The four-year earnings figure is reasonable for a small-school business program, but without debt data it's hard to fully assess the payback math. Students considering this track should run the calculator carefully.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 74.2% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.0% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 68.0% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 73.6% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 100.0% |
| Enrollment | 471 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 30.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $6,684 |
Union Adventist admits 100% of applicants, classifying as fully open admission. SAT and ACT scores are not reported in current Scorecard data, consistent with denominational schools that don't gate on standardized tests. The 52.3% completion rate combined with open admission means the school enrolls a wide range of preparation levels, with completion strongly correlated to which program students enter (nursing students complete at materially higher rates than liberal arts students at most institutions of this profile).
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Among Union Adventist's peer set, Clarkson College in Omaha is the closest direct nursing-focused Nebraska peer with similar small-school health sciences scale. Bellevue University is a Nebraska adult-education comparable but operates a different model. Northwest University's online center is a national faith-based comparable. Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnei Zion and College of Biblical Studies Houston are religious peers pulled in by enrollment and mission rather than direct outcome similarity. Union Adventist's 43 ROI score is in the middle of this peer group, with Clarkson generally outperforming on nursing-driven outcomes.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union Adventist University (this school) | 43 | $23,716 | $55,045 |
| Erskine College | 45 | $16,525 | $53,459 |
| Mount Vernon Nazarene University | 42 | $22,421 | $49,555 |
| Northwest Nazarene University | 41 | $29,580 | $51,719 |
| Clear Creek Baptist Bible College | 41 | $10,949 | $41,623 |
| Southwestern Adventist University | 41 | $22,778 | $52,946 |
Who Thrives Here
Union Adventist fits Seventh-day Adventist students drawn to denominational community and nursing or business programs, with just 471 students enrolled and a 30.8% Pell rate. The small scale produces an intimate campus experience but also limits academic breadth. Best fit for committed Adventist nursing-track students; weaker fit for students seeking a broad liberal arts curriculum or those uncertain about their major. The 52.3% completion rate combined with open admission means the institution rewards students who enter with clear vocational direction.
The Verdict: The Numbers Don't Add Up
The financial data raises serious concerns about Union Adventist University. With a net cost of $23,716 per year and median graduate earnings of only $55,045 ten years out, the estimated payback period exceeds 11.7 years. For most students, the financial return does not justify the cost.
Areas of concern include a 52.3% graduation rate and high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $27,000 against $55,045 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.