The Wall Street Journal found graduates of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Master of Business Administration program – known as the MBA@Nebraska – have the fifth-lowest debt-to-income ratio out of 567 schools.

The report examined graduate degrees across the country using data that displays student’s median earnings after graduation compared to their median debt load in earning the degree.

“In this report, the lower a program's debt-income ratio, the better of an investment it is. We take pride in continuing to deliver on our commitment to providing students with a flexible, academically rigorous program that delivers an exceptional return on investment,” said Dr. Jake Messersmith, interim executive director of Business Graduate Programs and associate professor of management. “Nebraska’s debt-income ratio was .24. If you look at some of our peer institutions, their ratio is sometimes twice as high or even more.”

Compared with other Big Ten business schools, the MBA@Nebraska program delivered the lowest debt-income ratio. Nebraska’s graduates had a median debt of $22,417 over a median income of $91,017.

“This report shows not only do we offer a financially competitive online MBA, but our graduates also end up recouping the cost of their degree sooner than those in other programs,” said Messersmith.

Earlier this year, the MBA@Nebraska ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for the value for the money category in the latest Financial Times (FT) online MBA rankings. Placing No. 14 overall globally, the MBA@Nebraska also placed No. 7 in the nation.

Alumni surveyed for the FT ranking reported a 28% increase in salary after earning the degree. With tuition and fees totaling less than $32,000, Nebraska also ranked sixth globally for its value.

“Our competitive price point makes our program widely accessible, which is critical to our university's mission,” said Dr. Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business. “We’re empowering individuals from Nebraska to Nepal to lead the future of business, and we’re doing it at the highest levels of excellence.”

The Financial Times brings the MBA@Nebraska program its third top 20 achievement for 2021. In January, the program was ranked No. 17 by U.S. News & World Report and in December, No. 13 by The Princeton Review.

“The rankings and third-party sources like the Wall Street Journal help verify the value of the MBA@Nebraska degree,” said Farrell.

The application deadlines for the MBA@Nebraska include November 1, April 1 and July 1. To learn more about the MBA@Nebraska or register for an upcoming online information session, visit: https://mba.unl.edu.