University Headquarters (HQ) is an industry-leading, independent educational organization that provides independent college rankings using a proprietary formula to create first class unbiased rankings. The team at University HQ strives to provide accurate and trustworthy rankings that highlights the best programs in Nebraska.
Nebraska is home to some legendary college and university traditions. The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, is the primary four-year public university in the state with an enrollment of over 25,000 in 2018. The University of Nebraska has four campus locations throughout the state with a total enrollment of over 50,000 students. They also offer partial and complete degrees online, and they have a dedicated two-year degree college for agricultural production, business management, horticulture, and veterinary medicine.
You will find more private colleges and universities than public higher learning institutions in Nebraska. Some of the best include Creighton University, Bellevue University, College of Saint Mary, Doane University Arts and Sciences, Grace University, and Hastings College. Each college and university excels in a number of dedicated departmental studies and degree programs. They also offer online courses, and both the four-year public and private schools are regionally accredited by reputable governing bodies. If you wish to transfer to one of these Nebraska higher learning institutions, you will require credits from other regional schools for credits to be considered.
Featured Online Programs
What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Nebraska?
While thoughts of Nebraska may conjure up images of cornfields, agriculture employment is a fraction of overall employment in Nebraska. The type of degrees offered will vary from campus to campus and can also vary by region. As with much of the US, many students lean toward a handful of degrees for greater chances at long-term employment. The college and university students in Nebraska are no different.
The largest industries in Nebraska are diversified with financial services, military, and transportation all included. Many of the largest employers are also in these fields. The degree popularity at Nebraska colleges and universities is a reflection on these industries. You will find high interest in varying degrees, including engineering, agriculture, communication, journalism, human sciences, criminal justice, and more.
The following are some of the most popular degrees:
How Much Can You Make by Having a Degree in Nebraska
If you wish to make more than $30,000 a year than someone who does not complete high school, complete a bachelor’s degree. If you earn a doctoral degree, you can make more than $60,000 a year than a non-high school graduate. With each degree accomplishment, you can earn up to $15,000 more a year than your previous higher education milestone. Both online degrees and traditional degrees will help you to reach your scholastic and financial goals. You can specialize in various fields and complete specialized certificates to advance your career development even further. These educational accolades will also help to improve your desirable skill set and make you more essential to the success of your employer.
Education Level & National Average Median Compensation
| NO FORMAL EDUCATION | HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | ASSOCIATE DEGREE | BACHELOR’S DEGREE | MASTER’S DEGREE | DOCTORAL DEGREE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $36,816* | $46,748* | $55,016* | $77,636* | $90,324* | $109,668* |
Top 5 Best Associate Degree Programs in Nebraska
Mid-Plains Community College
Score: 88.97
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,600
- Out-of-State: $4,530
- Net Price: $5,517
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 45%
- Total Enrollment: 2,084
- Undergrad Students: 2,084
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $32,600
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Central Community College
Score: 83.69
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,360
- Out-of-State: $4,800
- Net Price: $7,740
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 6,519
- Undergrad Students: 6,519
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $38,100
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Metropolitan Community College
Score: 79.26
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,285
- Out-of-State: $4,815
- Net Price: $4,786
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 62%
- Graduation Rate: 25%
- Total Enrollment: 14,541
- Undergrad Students: 14,541
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $34,300
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Northeast Community College
Score: 77.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,840
- Out-of-State: $5,130
- Net Price: $10,170
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 5,583
- Undergrad Students: 5,583
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,100
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Southeast Community College Area
Score: 77.3
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,540
- Out-of-State: $4,260
- Net Price: $8,330
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 64%
- Graduation Rate: 31%
- Total Enrollment: 9,465
- Undergrad Students: 9,465
- Graduate Students: N/A
- Grads Salary: $36,400
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Top 15 Best Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
Clarkson College
Score: 92.11
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,168
- Out-of-State: $15,168
- Net Price: $14,506
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 1,133
- Undergrad Students: 631
- Graduate Students: 502
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
College of Saint Mary
Score: 83.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $23,340
- Out-of-State: $23,340
- Net Price: $14,984
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 857
- Undergrad Students: 539
- Graduate Students: 318
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Score: 78.9
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,108
- Out-of-State: $27,748
- Net Price: $16,805
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 23,805
- Undergrad Students: 19,189
- Graduate Students: 4,616
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Creighton University
Score: 74.84
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $47,000
- Out-of-State: $47,000
- Net Price: $32,877
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 8,397
- Undergrad Students: 4,290
- Graduate Students: 4,107
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Score: 74.39
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,370
- Out-of-State: $22,358
- Net Price: $12,973
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 15,058
- Undergrad Students: 12,026
- Graduate Students: 3,032
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Score: 73.6
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,302
- Out-of-State: $14,260
- Net Price: $16,564
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 6,041
- Undergrad Students: 4,269
- Graduate Students: 1,772
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Score: 72.02
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,658
- Out-of-State: $41,658
- Net Price: $25,201
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 1,688
- Undergrad Students: 1,545
- Graduate Students: 143
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Hastings College
Score: 71.64
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $36,130
- Out-of-State: $36,130
- Net Price: $22,128
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 936
- Undergrad Students: 919
- Graduate Students: 17
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Doane University
Score: 71.24
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,491
- Out-of-State: $40,491
- Net Price: $24,271
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 1,879
- Undergrad Students: 990
- Graduate Students: 889
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Chadron State College
Score: 68.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,078
- Out-of-State: $8,078
- Net Price: $15,727
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 2,260
- Undergrad Students: 1,815
- Graduate Students: 445
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Wayne State College
Score: 67.49
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,970
- Out-of-State: $7,970
- Net Price: $14,271
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 4,773
- Undergrad Students: 3,860
- Graduate Students: 913
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Peru State College
Score: 63.83
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,280
- Out-of-State: $8,280
- Net Price: $12,618
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 1,799
- Undergrad Students: 1,569
- Graduate Students: 230
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Concordia University-Nebraska
Score: 63.59
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $39,330
- Out-of-State: $39,330
- Net Price: $23,067
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 3,047
- Undergrad Students: 2,668
- Graduate Students: 379
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Bellevue University
Score: 63.36
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,886
- Out-of-State: $8,886
- Net Price: $24,767
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 13,841
- Undergrad Students: 10,808
- Graduate Students: 3,033
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Midland University
Score: 63.03
- Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $40,270
- Out-of-State: $40,270
- Net Price: $22,377
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 1,615
- Undergrad Students: 1,340
- Graduate Students: 275
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Top 15 Best Master's Programs in Nebraska
Clarkson College
Score: 92.11
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,546
- Out-of-State: $12,546
- Net Price: $14,506
- Acceptance Rate: 56%
- Retention Rate: 73%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Total Enrollment: 1,133
- Undergrad Students: 631
- Graduate Students: 502
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
College of Saint Mary
Score: 83.24
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $21,739
- Out-of-State: $21,739
- Net Price: $14,984
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 71%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 857
- Undergrad Students: 539
- Graduate Students: 318
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 8:1
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Score: 78.9
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,318
- Out-of-State: $18,468
- Net Price: $16,805
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 65%
- Total Enrollment: 23,805
- Undergrad Students: 19,189
- Graduate Students: 4,616
- Grads Salary: $72,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Creighton University
Score: 74.84
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,676
- Out-of-State: $17,676
- Net Price: $32,877
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 8,397
- Undergrad Students: 4,290
- Graduate Students: 4,107
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Score: 74.39
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,322
- Out-of-State: $15,204
- Net Price: $12,973
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 15,058
- Undergrad Students: 12,026
- Graduate Students: 3,032
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
University of Nebraska at Kearney
Score: 73.6
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,432
- Out-of-State: $14,136
- Net Price: $16,564
- Acceptance Rate: 86%
- Retention Rate: 74%
- Graduation Rate: 54%
- Total Enrollment: 6,041
- Undergrad Students: 4,269
- Graduate Students: 1,772
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Score: 72.02
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,243
- Out-of-State: $9,243
- Net Price: $25,201
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 1,688
- Undergrad Students: 1,545
- Graduate Students: 143
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Hastings College
Score: 71.64
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,400
- Out-of-State: $11,400
- Net Price: $22,128
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 55%
- Total Enrollment: 936
- Undergrad Students: 919
- Graduate Students: 17
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Doane University
Score: 71.24
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,023
- Out-of-State: $9,023
- Net Price: $24,271
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Total Enrollment: 1,879
- Undergrad Students: 990
- Graduate Students: 889
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 10:1
Chadron State College
Score: 68.59
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,800
- Out-of-State: $9,600
- Net Price: $15,727
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 2,260
- Undergrad Students: 1,815
- Graduate Students: 445
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Wayne State College
Score: 67.49
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,320
- Out-of-State: $8,640
- Net Price: $14,271
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 51%
- Total Enrollment: 4,773
- Undergrad Students: 3,860
- Graduate Students: 913
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Peru State College
Score: 63.83
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,408
- Out-of-State: $9,408
- Net Price: $12,618
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 34%
- Total Enrollment: 1,799
- Undergrad Students: 1,569
- Graduate Students: 230
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Concordia University-Nebraska
Score: 63.59
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,650
- Out-of-State: $7,650
- Net Price: $23,067
- Acceptance Rate: 91%
- Retention Rate: 72%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 3,047
- Undergrad Students: 2,668
- Graduate Students: 379
- Grads Salary: $55,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
Bellevue University
Score: 63.36
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,682
- Out-of-State: $11,682
- Net Price: $24,767
- Acceptance Rate: 100%
- Retention Rate: 51%
- Graduation Rate: 41%
- Total Enrollment: 13,841
- Undergrad Students: 10,808
- Graduate Students: 3,033
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Midland University
Score: 63.03
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,968
- Out-of-State: $13,968
- Net Price: $22,377
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 69%
- Graduation Rate: 44%
- Total Enrollment: 1,615
- Undergrad Students: 1,340
- Graduate Students: 275
- Grads Salary: $59,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Scholarships for Nebraska College Students
Students in Nebraska leave their higher learning institutions with some of the lowest amounts of debt in the country. Some of this low debt can be contributed to the high number of scholarships and grants offered by the state, colleges and universities, businesses, and individuals to assist those seeking to better their future in Nebraska.
TSCNS
The Sowers Club of Nebraska Scholarships
https://thesowersclub.com/what-we-do/
Amount: $1,000 ($500 each award); $1,000 (High school senior); $1,000 (continuing education)
Deadline: February 25; November 16
The Sowers Club of Nebraska awards two scholarships each with a $500 value. Eligible applicants can either be continuing undergraduates or high school seniors. One scholarship is dedicated to the children of employees at Burlington Northern Railroad. The other is dedicated to applicants in pursuit of the culinary arts. All applicants must provide three letters of recommendations, be a permanent, legal resident of Nebraska, maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and be involved in extracurricular activities.
LCF
Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) Scholarships
https://www.lcf.org/impacting-community/student-scholarships
Amount: $1,600 (estimated)
Deadline: March 15
The Lincoln Community Foundation is responsible for over 80 scholarships with more than 270 awards.
TDCS
The Davis-Chambers Scholarships
https://www.nscs.edu/information-for/students/scholarships
Amount: $2,000 (per year for 2 years)
Deadline: February 1
The Davis-Chambers Scholarships are dedicated to minority high school graduating seniors who are high achieving and hoping to study at any University of Nebraska location. All applicants must be from diverse ethnic backgrounds and provide an essay, transcript, and financial aid information. Those who qualified or received reduced or free lunches will have an advantage. Applicants must be a legal resident of Nebraska, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and have satisfactory grades and scores on their ACT or SAT exams.