Even in Nebraska, people earn six figures. We live here because my husband’s salary is so high. I think we are in a golden handcuffs situation.
Anyway, it is strange how people who don’t live here are discounting the experiences of those who do. It is far more than “college is hard and new experiences are hard.” Loneliness, lack of acceptance, and lack of friends are not necessarily character building.
Young men especially are experiencing practically an epidemic of mental health issues. The “tough it out” mentality does not work for everyone.
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Ahhhhh that’s low. I wonder if it’s due to the combo majors. Most are 60-70% response so yeah I’d look deeper if it matters to OP Same at UNL - how many finish that program vs start.
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Not discounting but lots of non Nebraskans succeed. I noted I wasn’t discounting but it’s also not a 100% fail rate like you are saying. My son’s hs classmate went to SEMO, then a Missouri directional, and now sells medical equipment in Omaha.
Yes people make big salaries everywhere including where I live.
But companies pay out of college based on location and Omaha skews low - no different than an Indy, St Louis, KC etc vs a Seattle or Boston.
It’s not a knock.
But my hypothesis is and OP should check - at $104k, they’re not placing heavily at 21 years old in Nebraska.
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It’s not about Nebraskans succeeding elsewhere. It’s about a non-Nebraskan succeeding at UNL and finding a top job outside of the Omaha / Lincoln areas.
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Yea I noted that at $104k my hypothesis is they are leaving. And OP can ask the program for a list of first jobs, including locations, which frankly a program like this should publish online anyway. Given the partner companies and salaries they are leaving. Besides, today the Internet has equalized. A kid from Nebraska will have no more difficulty than my Alabama kid who got offers all over the country and has been out west and in Florida or my Charleston kid headed to Denver in May. Your right to think like you do. I think you are shorting the reality in today’s world.
No need to argue. We can agree to disagree. OP should do his homework if truly interested in the program.
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Here is what College Scorecard says:
| College |
Major |
Median Earnings |
| UIUC |
Computer Science |
$170,405 |
| UNL |
Computer Science |
$104,063 |
| UNL |
Business |
$62,338 |
| UNL |
Finance |
$77,155 |
| UNL |
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods |
$109,323 |
| UNL |
Marketing |
$64,871 |
It is not obvious where in College Scorecard the Raikes program would be, but it looks like CS and the highest paid business major at UNL lead to typical earnings much less than CS at UIUC. However, these outcomes could be affected by the strength of students in each program (UIUC CS is likely much more selective than UNL CS or business).
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The other issue here is once you are in, you’re slotted there.
So a UNL person hired at the range of a UIUC grad, as an example, will grow at a similar rate with merit differences.
And if we believe Nebraskans as a whole stay in Nebraska, that will bring a lower salary too.
OP should go to UIUC given the desire to work in CS. But the levels of support are pulling him.
He might ask Raikes students if that support is real and integrated in the day to day.
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OP: Which school did you decide to attend ?
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Hello!
I ended up choosing UIUC. I’m experiencing some regrets, but the grass is always greener + I haven’t even started college yet. Thanks for all the opinions everyone provided on this post!
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Why regret? You made a great choice. You had two great choices…that’s actually the problem with choice.
Congrats to you and best of luck.
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You made the right choice!
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Thank you for coming back and letting us know 
Why regrets, though (if you want to explain what worries you)?
You had two great choices, both were “right” 
UIUC is terrific for your choice of major BTW - have you met with an adviser yet? Chosen courses? Joined a Living Learning Community (if there’s still time, it’s highly recommended!) Talked with your future roommate?
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