Best Community Colleges in Nebraska 2024

Badge for BEST IN NEBRASKA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated 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.

Best Community Colleges in Nebraska

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  1. Western Nebraska Community College
  2. Little Priest Tribal College
  3. Southeast Community College
  4. Nebraska Indian Community College
  5. Northeast Community College
  6. Metropolitan Community College
  7. Central Community College
  1. Western Nebraska Community College
  2. Southeast Community College
  3. Little Priest Tribal College
  4. Nebraska Indian Community College
  5. Northeast Community College
  6. Central Community College
  7. Metropolitan Community College
    1. Northeast Community College 17 to 1
    2. Western Nebraska Community College 17 to 1
    3. Central Community College 15 to 1
    4. Metropolitan Community College 14 to 1
    5. Southeast Community College 11 to 1
    6. Little Priest Tribal College 7 to 1
    7. Nebraska Indian Community College 5 to 1
    1. Little Priest Tribal College $5,140
    2. Nebraska Indian Community College $4,080
    3. Northeast Community College $3,240
    4. Metropolitan Community College $3,060
    5. Southeast Community College $2,856
    6. Central Community College $2,820
    7. Western Nebraska Community College $2,556
      1. Central Community College
      2. Metropolitan Community College
      3. Northeast Community College
      4. Nebraska Indian Community College
      5. Southeast Community College
      6. Little Priest Tribal College
      7. Western Nebraska Community College
      1. Metropolitan Community College
      2. Central Community College
      3. Northeast Community College
      4. Nebraska Indian Community College
      5. Little Priest Tribal College
      6. Southeast Community College
      7. Western Nebraska Community College
        1. Nebraska Indian Community College 5 to 1
        2. Little Priest Tribal College 7 to 1
        3. Southeast Community College 11 to 1
        4. Metropolitan Community College 14 to 1
        5. Central Community College 15 to 1
        6. Northeast Community College 17 to 1
        7. Western Nebraska Community College 17 to 1
        1. Western Nebraska Community College $2,556
        2. Central Community College $2,820
        3. Southeast Community College $2,856
        4. Metropolitan Community College $3,060
        5. Northeast Community College $3,240
        6. Nebraska Indian Community College $4,080
        7. Little Priest Tribal College $5,140

          Colleges and Universities in Nebraska

          Students can choose from 29 higher learning institutions, including community colleges, technical institutes, religious colleges, and public universities. Of the 15 public campuses, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln is the largest, with over 22,000 students. Coming in under the national average, the university’s tuition rate is $9,000, and students can earn their degree in fields such as law, mathematics, communication, and sociology.

          Find college admissions consultants in your state.

          The most affordable schools in the state are its six community colleges with tuition ranging from $3,000 to $4,000. Nebraska also has 12 religiously affiliated institutions, including those with Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Lutheran influences. At $40,000 in tuition, Creighton University is both the largest and most expensive of these schools, and it boasts a 95% employment rate after graduation.

          As one of the largest corn producers in the country, it’s no wonder Nebraska’s nickname is The Cornhusker State. The state is also home to an unusual monument - Carhenge. Replicating England’s famous Stonehenge, this structure is made out of vintage American automobiles that have been painted gray and lodged into the ground. With the Great Plains, over 20,000 square miles of sand dunes, and a portion of the Badlands, Nebraska offers a unique setting for students looking to earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree.

          Mental health, dental, and other health care professionals working in shortage areas can apply for loan repayment awards through the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program. Doctors and dentists may qualify for up to $200,000.

          Come check out the top programs and earn your degree in Nebraska.


          What are Nebraska’s Colleges & Universities?

          Nebraska’s Best Overall

          Nebraska's Best Community Colleges Badge
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          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. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            34%

            Student body

            2K

            Career Outlook for degree at Western Nebraska Community College

            Cost of Degree: $2,976
            Expenses: $12,186
            Starting Salary: $33,800
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Western Nebraska Community College known for?

            Western Nebraska Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

            Most Influential Alumni

          2. Tuition + fees

            $5K

            Graduation

            13%

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Little Priest Tribal College

            Cost of Degree: $5,140
            Expenses: $11,724
            Starting Salary: $22,500
            Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Little Priest Tribal College known for?

            Little Priest Tribal College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          3. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            31%

            Student body

            13K

            Career Outlook for degree at Southeast Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,276
            Expenses: $12,290
            Starting Salary: $40,200
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Southeast Community College known for?

            Southeast Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          4. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Student body

            <1K

            Career Outlook for degree at Nebraska Indian Community College

            Cost of Degree: $4,080
            Starting Salary: $21,200
            What is Nebraska Indian Community College known for?

            Nebraska Indian Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          5. Tuition + fees

            $4K

            Graduation

            51%

            Student body

            7K

            Career Outlook for degree at Northeast Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,840
            Expenses: $12,183
            Starting Salary: $38,400
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Northeast Community College known for?

            Northeast Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          6. Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            25%

            Student body

            21K

            Career Outlook for degree at Metropolitan Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,285
            Starting Salary: $33,800
            What is Metropolitan Community College known for?

            Metropolitan Community College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          7. #7

            Central Community College

            Grand Island , NE

            Tuition + fees

            $3K

            Graduation

            43%

            Student body

            10K

            Career Outlook for degree at Central Community College

            Cost of Degree: $3,300
            Expenses: $11,410
            Starting Salary: $32,800
            Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
            Paid back at 15% of annual salary
            What is Central Community College known for?

            Central Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

          2021 Ranking Archive

          Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

          1. Southeast Community College
          2. Little Priest Tribal College
          3. Nebraska Indian Community College
          4. Western Nebraska Community College
          5. Metropolitan Community College
          6. Northeast Community College
          7. Central Community College
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