Best Community Colleges in Nebraska 2025
Key Takeaways
- Seven schools in Nebraska meet our criteria for the best community colleges in the state.
- Community colleges in Nebraska offer more affordable tuition rates than a traditional four-year college.
- Graduates with an associate degree can often transfer their credits into an accredited bachelor’s degree program.
Best Community Colleges in Nebraska in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best community colleges in Nebraska remained fairly stable. Nebraska Indian Community College gained a ranking position as the college has introduced its first bachelor’s degree program in Business Administration and Tribal Nation Building, expanding its educational offerings beyond traditional associate degrees. This program provides students with specialized knowledge tailored to the needs of tribal communities, combining business skills with cultural and community-focused leadership training.
Additionally, NICC is enhancing campus resources and support systems to enrich student learning and promote community engagement, reflecting its commitment to serving Native American students with both practical and culturally relevant education.
The top-rated community colleges offer an accessible intro into higher education, with high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The best community colleges in Nebraska offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
Colleges and Universities in Nebraska
Nebraska has numerous excellent and highly respected community colleges. Many of these top Nebraska schools are noted for their affordability as well.
Students attending community colleges in Nebraska can earn an associate degree in popular subjects like business management, health services administration, health sciences, and criminal justice. Nebraska is also noted for an extensive technical college system, where students can pursue a wide range of on-campus and online degree programs. The average tuition for a year at one of Nebraska’s 7 community colleges is $4,000.
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What are Nebraska’s Colleges & Universities?
- 3 Research Universities
- 13 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 6 Graduate Schools
- 6 Public Colleges & Universities
- 10 Private Colleges & Universities
- 8 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 11 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 8 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 7 Community Colleges
- 12 Online Colleges
Nebraska’s Best Overall
We’ve identified 7 community colleges in Nebraska. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Nebraska.
Best Community Colleges in Nebraska
- #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Nebraska 2024 #2 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics #16 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs 2025
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
34%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Western Nebraska Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,000Expenses: $14,169Starting Salary: $33,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Western Nebraska Community College known for?
Western Nebraska Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
With dedicated student spaces and modern facilities, Western Nebraska Community College stands out through its lively campus community. From classroom lectures to lab work, students are taught in various mediums to keep them engaged.
What we love about Western Nebraska Community College:
The school’s CollegeNOW! Program helps High School students get a head start on a degree by allowing them to take up credits in advance.
Western Nebraska Community College is ideal for students who:
Are looking for quality adult education programs.
Western Nebraska Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Avoid hands-on learning through group work and research.
Popular Programs:
- Business Administration
- Computer Science
- Nursing
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
31%
Student body
13K
Career Outlook for degree at Southeast Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,388Expenses: $12,745Starting Salary: $40,200Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Southeast Community College known for?
Southeast Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
With over $2.5 Million in scholarship funding given, Southeast Community College sees to it that its students are given enough financial assistance to fuel their academic journey. The school’s modern campuses and modern facilities maintain an active learning environment.
What we love about Southeast Community College:
The college’s STEM CONNECT Scholarship awards up to $10,000 to eligible students who are planning to transfer to a 4-year university after completing their associate’s degree.
Southeast Community College is ideal for students who:
Prefer small class sizes and more personalized training.
Southeast Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Aren’t interested in participating in extracurricular activities.
Popular Programs:
- Nursing
- Graphic Design
- Criminal Justice
Tuition + fees
$4K
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Nebraska Indian Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,080Starting Salary: $21,200With four campus locations, Nebraska Indian Community College makes its educational programs accessible to students across the region. Pairing academic learning with cultural exploration, the school incorporates Native American history and values into its curriculum.
What we love about Nebraska Indian Community College:
The school’s Extension Program includes agricultural education and outreach to support local farmers, promoting sustainable practices within the tribal communities.
Nebraska Indian Community College is ideal for students who:
Are looking for comprehensive certificate programs in community and alcohol counseling.
Nebraska Indian Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Do not want any personal attention from professors.
Popular Programs:
- Early Childhood Education
- Business Administration
- Human Services
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
13%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Little Priest Tribal College
Cost of Degree: $5,400Expenses: $12,234Starting Salary: $22,500Cost Recoup Time: 14 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryDelivering quality education and values formation, Little Priest Tribal College continues to be committed to forming young minds and training adults. Aside from degree programs, the school offers courses, like computer training and cultural education, that are based on the needs of the Winnebago community.
What we love about Little Priest Tribal College:
With concentrations in health and the environment, the college’s Indigenous Studies curriculum allows students to cover different courses from a local perspective.
Little Priest Tribal College is ideal for students who:
Are looking for financial assistance through grants.
Little Priest Tribal College might not be the best fit for students who:
More program fields to choose from.
Popular Programs:
- Computer Information
- Biology
- Early Childhood Education
- #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Nebraska 2024 #5 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs 2025
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
51%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Northeast Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,840Expenses: $12,309Starting Salary: $38,400Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northeast Community College known for?
Northeast Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Northeast Community College boasts affordable tuition rates without compromising its program’s quality. The school stays true to its promise of empowering students by offering various enrichment activities, training, tutorials, and funding opportunities.
What we love about Northeast Community College:
To help students have a smooth academic journey, the institution offers various support services, including technology assistance, free food, and career advising.
Northeast Community College is ideal for students who:
Have special needs since the school provides a range of disability services.
Northeast Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Don’t want to be involved in intramural sports and recreational activities.
Popular Programs:
- Global Studies
- Media Arts
- Biology
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
43%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Central Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,360Expenses: $11,952Starting Salary: $32,800Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Central Community College known for?
Central Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Catering to students from both rural and urban areas, Central Community College offers comprehensive training curriculums through its seven campuses and online learning center. Students also get to enjoy extensive support services, ranging from academic advising to tutoring and career counseling.
What we love about Central Community College:
The school offers various benefits to veterans and military personnel, including tuition assistance, designated parking spots, counseling, and educational sources.
Central Community College is ideal for students who:
Want to enhance their leadership skills through developmental classes.
Central Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Prefer more internship opportunities.
Popular Programs:
- Automotive Technology
- Political Science
- Medical Assisting
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
25%
Student body
21K
Career Outlook for degree at Metropolitan Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,285Starting Salary: $33,800What is Metropolitan Community College known for?
Metropolitan Community College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Metropolitan Community College offers a wide array of career-focused programs that incorporate hands-on training through internships and partnerships with local businesses. With a diverse student population, the college offers non-credit courses and workshops for lifelong learners.
What we love about Metropolitan Community College:
The college established its own Police Department to maintain student safety, providing faster emergency responses and preparedness training.
Metropolitan Community College is ideal for students who:
Are looking for online and hybrid courses.
Metropolitan Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Are not interested in using the latest equipment and modern tools in training.
Popular Programs:
- Medical Assisting
- Electrical Technology
- Humanities
