University of Nebraska–Lincoln Master of Business Administration alumni reported a 28% increase in earnings after graduating from the program, reflecting the return on investment graduates say they gained from a high quality MBA designed to help working professionals advance their careers.
"For more than 60 years, the Nebraska MBA has evolved to meet the changing needs of students and industry while staying true to what matters most: a flexible, personalized experience that provides students with the skills to move their careers forward," said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business.
Here are five ways the Nebraska MBA prepares students to succeed, as noted by graduates of the program.
1. Designed to accelerate career advancement
More than 62% of Nebraska MBA graduates were promoted or changed jobs within four months of graduation. The curriculum delivers content students can put to work right away.
Samuel Arrigo, ’21, of Washington, D.C., combined his Nebraska MBA with a graduate business analytics certificate and moved into a new career with the U.S. Department of Treasury. Three years into the role, he earns $70,000 more annually.
"The Nebraska MBA provided a strong foundation in economic principles and comfort in the vernacular of business, helping me confidently step into a new career field. Nebraska equipped me with the skills to be productive day one of my new role,” Arrigo said. “My MBA paid for itself multiple times over.
2. A focus on high return on investment
Nebraska offers one of the country’s longest-running online MBA programs.
"With total tuition intentionally kept below $35,000, we do not believe students should have to choose between a high-quality MBA and an affordable one," said Farrell.
Most recently The Princeton Review ranked the Nebraska No. 7 nationally among online MBA programs for 2027. Students surveyed for the ranking cited the program’s high-quality curriculum, reputation, flexibility and price.
3. Flexibility to balance work, school and life
The Nebraska MBA is fully online, asynchronous and gives working professionals the flexibility to advance their education without stepping away from their careers. Students can move at a pace that works for them and customize their MBA around their career goals.
For Tiffany Huffman, ’25, leaving the workforce to earn her MBA wasn’t an option financially or professionally.
“As a full-time working professional and new mom, I needed a program that fit my schedule without compromising academic rigor. UNL’s online MBA delivered exactly that, and I was promoted while in the program,” Huffman said.
4. Personalized development through CliftonStrengths
Every Nebraska MBA student can take the CliftonStrengths assessment and receive one-on-one coaching from Nebraska faculty, helping them understand their strengths and apply them to their coursework, careers and leadership.
Kevin Odette, ’26, of Phoenix, Arizona, works at Bausch Health and found that his top strength helps him build a stronger team.
“My number one strength of Maximizer allows me to focus in on the strengths of my team and how each of them individually contributes. I’m also able to pair up different team members so they can build on each other’s strengths, and that allows our team to grow and be even more successful,” Odette said.
5. Connections to a worldwide network
Nebraska MBA students learn alongside experienced professionals from a wide range of industries and backgrounds, representing 48 states and eight countries. Students can build those relationships further through in-person opportunities, including summer residency courses, study abroad courses in Europe, networking events and service on graduate student or alumni advisory boards.
Jason Alsup, '24, found his summer residency program studying adaptive leadership beneficial.
"I was able to immerse myself in in-person learning and forge meaningful friendships and engage with a diverse range of perspectives," said Alsup, who became the head of computational sciences in Global Product Supply at Bayer Crop Science in St. Louis, Missouri, while earning his MBA. "This experience reinforced the value of personal connections, diverse insights and collaborative learning in shaping my path forward."
The 28% earnings increase Nebraska MBA graduates report isn’t tied to one feature of the program. It reflects its goal to help working professionals advance, with rigorous academics, flexibility, a personalized experience and learning they can immediately apply to their careers.
"At Nebraska, we believe an MBA should be more than a degree. It should be an investment that delivers lasting value for our graduates and their careers," said Farrell.
