Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025

Badge for MOST AFFORDABLE COLLEGES IN NEBRASKA

Here are the most affordable colleges and universities in Nebraska. Our list will help you find the right kind of school for you, at a price you can afford.

Key Takeaways

  • Many of Nebraska’s most affordable colleges prioritize accessible tuition rates, which help students, especially in-state residents, minimize education costs, making higher education attainable without substantial debt.
  • The institutions in our ranking often have strong financial aid programs, including need-based grants and scholarships, to further reduce students’ financial burdens and make college affordable for a broader population.
  • The best and most affordable Nebraska colleges frequently emphasize programs with direct links to job markets, offering career services, internship placements, and industry connections that ensure students can enter the workforce promptly after graduation.

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 ten schools in our ranking of the most affordable colleges in Nebraska remained fairly stable. Peru State College gained a ranking positions as the college implemented notable upgrades through “Project ROAR,” its largest construction endeavor in over 40 years. This project includes a new recreation dome with a 70-yard synthetic field, multi-purpose courts, and a weight room, designed to offer year-round indoor practice and recreational space. An adjacent Diamond Building will house locker rooms, coaches’ offices, and concessions, greatly enhancing the athletic facilities for baseball and softball.

These improvements not only elevate student athletic experiences but also expand community engagement by providing facilities for local organizations and events. These additions reflect Peru State’s commitment to enriching campus life and supporting student wellness and engagement.

There are 8 colleges and universities in Nebraska with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year. The following list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Nebraska is composed entirely of schools offering bachelor’s degree programs, have stated tuition and fees near or under the national average of $16,000/year, and are fully accredited colleges.

Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska

These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.

  1. 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: $10,108
    Expenses: $18,548
    Starting Salary: $52,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    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. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    18K

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Nebraska Omaha

    Cost of Degree: $8,370
    Expenses: $16,604
    Starting Salary: $49,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Nebraska Omaha’s Online Degrees

    BA in Religious Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  3. 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: $8,270
    Expenses: $17,784
    Starting Salary: $45,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What 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
  4. #4

    Bellevue University

    Bellevue , NE

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    19K

    Career Outlook for degree at Bellevue University

    Cost of Degree: $8,886
    Expenses: $16,440
    Starting Salary: $60,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bellevue University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Bellevue University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Graphic Design
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Analysis And Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Analytics
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Business Leadership And Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Hospitality Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in International Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management Of Human Resources
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Project Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Supply Chain, Transportation And Logistics Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Data Science
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in It Operations Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Software Development
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Systems And Network Administration
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Web Development
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Child Protection And Juvenile Justice
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice (Cohort)
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity (Cohort)
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Intelligence And Security Studies
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Security Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Adult Education
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in History
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Leadership
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Health Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Science
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Management
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Behavioral Science
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Professional Psychology
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Mathematics
    • Required Credits: 127
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  5. #5

    Chadron State College

    Chadron , NE

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    44%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Chadron State College

    Cost of Degree: $7,564
    Expenses: $15,060
    Starting Salary: $43,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
    • 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
  6. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Peru State College

    Cost of Degree: $8,280
    Expenses: $14,196
    Starting Salary: $39,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
    • 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
  7. Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    6K

    Career Outlook for degree at Wayne State College

    Cost of Degree: $7,923
    Expenses: $14,802
    Starting Salary: $40,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 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
    • 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
  8. #8

    York University

    York , NE

    Tuition + fees

    $21K

    Acceptance

    57%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    <1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    962/20

    Career Outlook for degree at York University

    Cost of Degree: $21,600
    Expenses: $12,900
    Starting Salary: $39,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 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
    • 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
Back to Top

Nebraska’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive
  1. Chadron State College
  2. Wayne State College
  3. Peru State College
  4. University of Nebraska at Kearney
  5. University of Nebraska Omaha
  6. Bellevue University
  7. University of Nebraska–Lincoln
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