Exercise Science Degree in Lincoln, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Exercise Science degree analysis for Lincoln, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$49K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Lincoln
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Exercise Science in Lincoln, NE Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska (pop. 291,082) has 9 colleges offering Exercise Science programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $867/month. Exercise Science enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Exercise Prescription and Fitness Testing. The adjusted starting salary in Lincoln is approximately $42,500.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,242/yr
Private Tuition
$36,730/yr
Room & Board
$10,611/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,317/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Exercise Science Salary in Lincoln (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lincoln's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Exercise Science salary: $50,000 starting, $58,000 mid-career, $72,000 senior level.Lincoln adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Exercise Science ROI Calculator for Lincoln
Estimate your return on investment for a Exercise Science degree using local Lincoln tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,242 | Private avg: $36,730
Lincoln avg aid: $13,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,412
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$12,750
vs HS diploma in Lincoln
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lincoln
$133,088
Lifetime earnings premium ($212,500) minus total education cost ($79,412)
Student Loan Payoff for Exercise Science in Lincoln
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lincoln for Exercise Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
public
$9,242/yr
$36,968 total
Nebraska Wesleyan University
private
$36,730/yr
$146,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Community College
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Exercise Science in Lincoln
Lincoln offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Exercise Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lincoln Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Exercise Science Job Titles
Exercise Science in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Healthcare Majors in Lincoln
Pharmacy
$43K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Nursing
$58K starting · 3.2 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$43K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$43K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$43K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$43K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$43K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Exercise Science Degree in Lincoln — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Exercise Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Lincoln.