Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2023

BEST IN NEBRASKA SMALL COLLEGES

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.

10 Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2022

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  1. Nebraska Wesleyan University
  2. Chadron State College
  3. Doane University
  4. Midland University
  5. Peru State College
  6. Hastings College
  7. Wayne State College
  8. College of Saint Mary
  9. Union College, Nebraska
  10. Concordia University Nebraska
  1. Union College, Nebraska 98%
  2. Concordia University Nebraska 85%
  3. Nebraska Wesleyan University 82%
  4. Doane University 77%
  5. Hastings College 71%
  6. Midland University 64%
  7. York University 62%
  8. College of Saint Mary 38%
  1. Peru State College 20 to 1
  2. Wayne State College 20 to 1
  3. Midland University 17 to 1
  4. Chadron State College 17 to 1
  5. Hastings College 14 to 1
  6. Concordia University Nebraska 14 to 1
  7. Nebraska Wesleyan University 13 to 1
  8. York University 12 to 1
  9. Doane University 11 to 1
  10. College of Saint Mary 9 to 1
  1. Nebraska Wesleyan University $38,334
  2. Doane University $37,880
  3. Midland University $36,746
  4. Concordia University Nebraska $36,310
  5. Hastings College $33,590
  6. Union College, Nebraska $26,060
  7. College of Saint Mary $21,800
  8. York University $19,900
  9. Peru State College $7,680
  10. Wayne State College $7,618
  1. Union College, Nebraska $27,840
  2. College of Saint Mary $17,638
  3. Midland University $13,473
  4. Hastings College $10,680
  5. Peru State College $9,120
  6. Concordia University Nebraska $8,650
  7. Doane University $8,407
  8. Nebraska Wesleyan University $7,400
  9. York University $5,100
  10. Chadron State College $4,650
  1. York University
  2. Concordia University Nebraska
  3. Union College, Nebraska
  4. College of Saint Mary
  5. Wayne State College
  6. Hastings College
  7. Peru State College
  8. Midland University
  9. Doane University
  10. Chadron State College
  1. College of Saint Mary 38%
  2. York University 62%
  3. Midland University 64%
  4. Hastings College 71%
  5. Doane University 77%
  6. Nebraska Wesleyan University 82%
  7. Concordia University Nebraska 85%
  8. Union College, Nebraska 98%
  1. College of Saint Mary 9 to 1
  2. Union College, Nebraska 9 to 1
  3. Doane University 11 to 1
  4. York University 12 to 1
  5. Nebraska Wesleyan University 13 to 1
  6. Hastings College 14 to 1
  7. Concordia University Nebraska 14 to 1
  8. Midland University 17 to 1
  9. Chadron State College 17 to 1
  10. Peru State College 20 to 1
  1. Chadron State College $5,208
  2. Wayne State College $7,618
  3. Peru State College $7,680
  4. York University $19,900
  5. College of Saint Mary $21,800
  6. Union College, Nebraska $26,060
  7. Hastings College $33,590
  8. Concordia University Nebraska $36,310
  9. Midland University $36,746
  10. Doane University $37,880
  1. Wayne State College $4,185
  2. Chadron State College $4,650
  3. York University $5,100
  4. Nebraska Wesleyan University $7,400
  5. Doane University $8,407
  6. Concordia University Nebraska $8,650
  7. Peru State College $9,120
  8. Hastings College $10,680
  9. Midland University $13,473
  10. College of Saint Mary $17,638

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.

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 Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Nebraska is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 11 small colleges in Nebraska. The list below of the best small colleges in Nebraska. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2022

  1. #1

    Chadron State College

    Chadron , NE
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    2K

    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
    • 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
  2. #5

    Doane University

    Crete , NE
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    2K

    Doane University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Agribusiness
    • Required Credits: 123
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
    BA in Health Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Leadership
    • Pre-Health Professions
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    Degree Concentrations
    • Rn To Bsn
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    50%

    Student body

    4K

    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
    • 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
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    40%

    Student body

    2K

    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
    • 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
  5. Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    98%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1025/21

    What is Union College, Nebraska known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  6. Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/23

    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
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. #10

    York University

    York , NE
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    62%

    Graduation

    42%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1005/20

    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
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Nebraska’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

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. 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