Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2024
Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Nebraska provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
Best Public Colleges in Nebraska
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- University of Nebraska Omaha
- University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Chadron State College
- Wayne State College
- Peru State College
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- University of Nebraska Omaha
- University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Chadron State College
- Peru State College
- Wayne State College
- University of Nebraska Omaha 86%
- University of Nebraska at Kearney 86%
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln 79%
- Wayne State College 22 to 1
- Peru State College 20 to 1
- Chadron State College 16 to 1
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln 16 to 1
- University of Nebraska Omaha 15 to 1
- University of Nebraska at Kearney 13 to 1
- Peru State College $7,920
- Chadron State College $7,834
- Wayne State College $7,786
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln $7,770
- University of Nebraska Omaha $6,344
- University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,270
- Peru State College $9,120
- University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,216
- University of Nebraska Omaha $6,138
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
- Chadron State College $4,650
- Wayne State College $4,185
- Peru State College
- Wayne State College
- Chadron State College
- University of Nebraska at Kearney
- University of Nebraska Omaha
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- Wayne State College
- Peru State College
- Chadron State College
- University of Nebraska at Kearney
- University of Nebraska Omaha
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln 79%
- University of Nebraska at Kearney 86%
- University of Nebraska Omaha 86%
- University of Nebraska at Kearney 13 to 1
- University of Nebraska Omaha 15 to 1
- Chadron State College 16 to 1
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln 16 to 1
- Peru State College 20 to 1
- Wayne State College 22 to 1
- University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,270
- University of Nebraska Omaha $6,344
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln $7,770
- Wayne State College $7,786
- Chadron State College $7,834
- Peru State College $7,920
- Wayne State College $4,185
- Chadron State College $4,650
- University of Nebraska Omaha $6,138
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln $6,138
- University of Nebraska at Kearney $6,216
- Peru State College $9,120
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.
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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.
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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
What is the difference between public and private colleges?
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 6 public universities in Nebraska. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Nebraska, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.
Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2023
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2025 #1 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #1 Best Research Universities in Nebraska 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025
Tuition + fees
$10K
Acceptance
79%
Graduation
65%
Student body
27K
Median SAT/ACT
1225/25
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Cost of Degree: $10,108Expenses: $18,548Starting Salary: $52,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Nebraska–Lincoln known for?
University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Online Degrees
BGS in Fine Arts
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing/Management
- Accounting
- Logistics And Supply Chain Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration Comprehensive
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in General Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Nonprofit Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational And Relational Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood & Family Advocacy
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education In A Mobile Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAEd in Early Childhood Inclusive
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BGS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BGS in Humanities
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSEd in Library Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Library Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Multidisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BGS in Professional Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSG in Social Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Women'S And Gender Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Medical Imaging & Therapeutic Sciences
- Required Credits: 20
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 20
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Medical Laboratory Science
- Required Credits: 35
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Gerontology
Degree Concentrations
- Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BMS in Gerontology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2025 #3 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Nebraska 2025
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
49%
Student body
18K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nebraska Omaha
Cost of Degree: $8,370Expenses: $16,604Starting Salary: $49,300Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Nebraska Omaha known for?
University of Nebraska Omaha’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Computer Science
- Psychology
- Communications
- Biology
- Business
- Physics
- History
- Chemistry
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
University of Nebraska Omaha’s Online Degrees
BA in Religious Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #4 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Acceptance
86%
Graduation
54%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1100/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nebraska at Kearney
Cost of Degree: $8,270Expenses: $17,784Starting Salary: $45,800Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Nebraska at Kearney known for?
University of Nebraska at Kearney’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
University of Nebraska at Kearney’s Online Degrees
BS in History
Degree Concentrations
- Social Science Comprehensive
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
44%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Chadron State College
Cost of Degree: $7,564Expenses: $15,060Starting Salary: $43,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Chadron State College known for?
Chadron State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Chadron State College’s Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Accounting Certified Public Accountant
- Agribusiness
- Business Information
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 150
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in General Business
- Required Credits: 161
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Education
Degree Concentrations
- Special Education (K-12)
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Family Consumer Science
Degree Concentrations
- Child Studies
- Family Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Applied Sciences In Technical Occupations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Geoscience
Degree Concentrations
- Physical Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #7 Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #6 Best Online MBA Programs in Nebraska
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
51%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Wayne State College
Cost of Degree: $7,923Expenses: $14,802Starting Salary: $40,300Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Wayne State College known for?
Wayne State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- History
- Biology
- Political Science
- Communications
- Mathematics
- Business
- Criminal Justice
- Education
Most Influential Alumni
Wayne State College’s Online Degrees
BA in Business Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #5 Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #10 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2024
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
34%
Student body
3K
Career Outlook for degree at Peru State College
Cost of Degree: $8,280Expenses: $14,196Starting Salary: $39,600Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Peru State College known for?
Peru State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Education
- Biology
- History
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Business
- Literature
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
Peru State College’s Online Degrees
BAA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Computer Management Information Systems (Cmis)
- Marketing
- Management
- Public Administration
- Human Resources And Risk Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Management Applied Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Criminal Justice
Degree Concentrations
- Administration
- Counseling
- Legal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Nebraska’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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.
Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.