Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2026

Badge for BEST IN NEBRASKA SMALL COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Chloe Dembski
Updated:

Small colleges in Nebraska are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

Key Takeaways

  • With smaller class sizes, students at the best small colleges in Nebraska receive individualized instruction and mentorship from faculty, enhancing their academic experience.
  • A smaller student body fosters a close-knit campus environment, promoting strong relationships among peers and a supportive social atmosphere.
  • Despite their size, the colleges in our ranking offer a wide range of majors and programs, allowing students to pursue various academic interests.

10 Best Small Colleges in Nebraska in 2026

  1. Nebraska Wesleyan University
  2. Hastings College
    +4
  3. Chadron State College
    +1
  4. Wayne State College
    +3
  5. Doane University
    –2
  6. Peru State College
    –1
  7. Midland University
    –5
  8. College of Saint Mary
  9. Concordia University Nebraska
  10. Union College
    +1

The following list highlights Nebraska’s top small colleges and universities, focusing on primarily four‑year undergraduate institutions with tight-knit campuses and student populations under 5,000. We identified 11 small colleges that meet our criteria. To qualify, schools must be fully accredited and demonstrate a sustained commitment to undergraduate teaching, student support, and campus engagement.

This guide is designed to help prospective students and advisers compare institutions by size, academic focus, and campus experience rather than broad prestige metrics. Expect concise, comparable profiles that emphasize program strengths, residential life, and the student outcomes most relevant to applicants choosing a small college in Nebraska.

Best Small Colleges in Nebraska

  1. #1

    Nebraska Wesleyan University

    Lincoln , NE
    #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #2 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #2 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #5 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University

    Cost of Degree: $41,712
    Expenses: $14,482
    Starting Salary: $62,637
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Nebraska Wesleyan University known for?

    Nebraska Wesleyan University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Hastings College

    Hastings , NE
    #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #3 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #3 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #6 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    72%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Hastings College

    Cost of Degree: $36,130
    Expenses: $16,110
    Starting Salary: $56,094
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Hastings College known for?

    Hastings College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Chadron State College

    Chadron , NE
    #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #4 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #7 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Chadron State College

    Cost of Degree: $7,564
    Expenses: $15,060
    Starting Salary: $51,365
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in General Business
    • Required Credits: 161
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Special Education (K-12)
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Family Consumer Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Child Studies
    • Family Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BAS in Applied Sciences In Technical Occupations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Geoscience
    Degree Concentrations
    • Physical Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Mathematics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    Wayne State College

    Wayne , NE
    #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #5 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #8 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wayne State College

    Cost of Degree: $7,923
    Expenses: $14,802
    Starting Salary: $50,482
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Wayne State College known for?

    Wayne State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Wayne State College’s Online Degrees

    BA in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Business Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    Doane University

    Crete , NE
    #4 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2026 #4 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #9 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026

    Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Doane University

    Cost of Degree: $40,491
    Expenses: $17,345
    Starting Salary: $57,009
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Doane University known for?

    Doane University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Doane University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Agribusiness
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Business Administration
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Liberal Arts
      BA in Health Sciences
      Degree Concentrations
      • Leadership
      • Pre-Health Professions
      • Format: Fully online
      BSN in Nursing
      Degree Concentrations
      • Rn To Bsn
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in Pre-Health Advantage
      • Format: Fully online
      Compare school
    • #6

      Peru State College

      Peru , NE
      #6 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2026

      Tuition + fees

      $9K

      Graduation

      37%

      Student body

      2K

      Career Outlook for degree at Peru State College

      Cost of Degree: $8,280
      Expenses: $14,196
      Starting Salary: $47,905
      Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
      Paid back at 15% of annual salary
      What is Peru State College known for?

      Peru State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      Most Influential Alumni

      Peru State College’s Online Degrees

      BAA in Business Administration
      Degree Concentrations
      • Accounting
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in Business Administration
      Degree Concentrations
      • Computer Management Information Systems (Cmis)
      • Marketing
      • Management
      • Public Administration
      • Human Resources And Risk Management
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Business Administration
      Degree Concentrations
      • Management Applied Science
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in Criminal Justice
      Degree Concentrations
      • Administration
      • Counseling
      • Legal Studies
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in Psychology
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      Compare school
    • #7

      Midland University

      Fremont , NE
      #4 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #6 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026

      Tuition + fees

      $44K

      Acceptance

      66%

      Graduation

      44%

      Student body

      2K

      Median SAT/ACT

      1066/20

      Career Outlook for degree at Midland University

      Cost of Degree: $40,270
      Expenses: $15,878
      Starting Salary: $57,914
      Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
      Paid back at 15% of annual salary
      What is Midland University known for?

      Midland University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      Most Influential Alumni

      Compare school
    • #8

      College of Saint Mary

      Omaha , NE
      #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026 #5 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #6 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2026 #7 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026

      Tuition + fees

      $27K

      Acceptance

      45%

      Graduation

      60%

      Student body

      <1K

      Career Outlook for degree at College of Saint Mary

      Cost of Degree: $23,340
      Expenses: $13,938
      Starting Salary: $64,178
      Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
      Paid back at 15% of annual salary
      What is College of Saint Mary known for?

      College of Saint Mary’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      Compare school
    • #9

      Concordia University Nebraska

      Seward , NE
      #6 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #8 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Nebraska #13 Best Online Master's Programs in Nebraska 2026

      Tuition + fees

      $42K

      Acceptance

      86%

      Graduation

      60%

      Student body

      4K

      Median SAT/ACT

      1137/22

      Career Outlook for degree at Concordia University Nebraska

      Cost of Degree: $39,330
      Expenses: $14,120
      Starting Salary: $53,522
      Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
      Paid back at 15% of annual salary
      What is Concordia University Nebraska known for?

      Concordia University Nebraska’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      Most Influential Alumni

      Concordia University Nebraska’s Online Degrees

      BS in Business Administration
      Degree Concentrations
      • Accounting
      • Communication
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in Criminal Justice
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Healthcare Management
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in Psychology
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      Compare school
    • #10

      Union College, Nebraska

      Lincoln , NE
      #7 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #9 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026

      Tuition + fees

      $30K

      Acceptance

      100%

      Graduation

      55%

      Student body

      <1K

      Career Outlook for degree at Union College, Nebraska

      Cost of Degree: $27,990
      Expenses: $14,600
      Starting Salary: $58,875
      Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
      Paid back at 15% of annual salary
      What is Union College, Nebraska known for?

      Union College, Nebraska’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      Most Influential Alumni

      Compare school
    • #11

      York University

      York , NE
      #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #8 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #10 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #12 Best Online Colleges in Nebraska 2026

      Tuition + fees

      $24K

      Acceptance

      52%

      Graduation

      45%

      Student body

      <1K

      Median SAT/ACT

      995/19

      Career Outlook for degree at York University

      Cost of Degree: $21,600
      Expenses: $12,900
      Starting Salary: $50,139
      Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
      Paid back at 15% of annual salary
      What is York University known for?

      York University ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

      Most Influential Alumni

      York University ’s Online Degrees

      BA in Business Administration
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Criminal Justice
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BA in General Studies
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      BS in Psychology
      • Required Credits: 120
      • Format: Fully online
      Compare school
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    Nebraska’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

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    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.

    1. Doane University
    2. Nebraska Wesleyan University
    3. Hastings College
    4. Union College, Nebraska
    5. Chadron State College
    6. Midland University
    7. Wayne State College
    8. Concordia University Nebraska
    9. York University
    10. College of Saint Mary

    Many states have great small colleges. If you’re interested in looking into what other states have to offer, check out the best small colleges in Oklahoma and Minnesota.

    Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here