What Can Open Nebraska Do for Students?
Open Nebraska is designed to support student success in practical, measurable ways—by reducing costs, improving access to course materials, and helping students stay enrolled and on track.
Impact at a Glance
Affordable course materials make a difference across the University of Nebraska system.
Monetary Impact
- Over $30 million in estimated student savings across the NU system
- $9.15 million in estimated savings for University of Nebraska at Omaha students
Student success outcomes
Research conducted across the University of Nebraska system shows that affordable content does more than save money. Studies of Open Nebraska courses have found that students are:
- Less likely to drop, fail, or withdraw from courses
- More likely to earn higher grades
- More likely to remain enrolled in subsequent semesters
These effects are especially strong for first-generation students, part-time students, and students in their early semesters. For a deeper dive, read Student Success in Open Nebraska Courses: NU Intercampus OER Research Committee White Paper and Assessment of a Textbook Affordability Initiative: A Framework for Measuring the Impact on Student Enrollment and Retention Outcomes.
Why Access Matters
When required materials are available on the first day of class—at no cost or low cost—students can fully participate from the start. They don’t have to delay purchasing a textbook, share materials, or decide whether cost is worth the risk. Affordable content removes a common barrier to engagement and persistence, particularly for students balancing work, family responsibilities, and financial pressure.
Evidence-Based Results
Open Nebraska’s student success findings are grounded in multi-year, multi-campus research.
- A systemwide white paper found lower drop–fail–withdrawal rates and modest but consistent improvements in grades for students enrolled in Open Nebraska courses.
- A follow-up study using advanced statistical methods found significantly higher retention rates for students in courses using no-cost and low-cost materials compared to traditional textbooks.
Together, these findings show that affordable content supports both access and academic progress—without sacrificing course rigor or learning outcomes.