Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2026
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.
Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska in 2026
Finding an affordable bachelor’s degree in Nebraska means balancing sticker price with accreditation, program fit, and total cost of attendance. This list focuses on institutions that publish tuition and fees near or below the national average and offer accredited bachelor’s programs, making it a practical starting point for cost-conscious students planning for 2026. For quick reference, there are 8 colleges and universities in Nebraska with stated tuitions and fees under $20,000/year.
Use the entries below to compare net price potential, program availability, and campus or online delivery; consider how scholarships, residency status, and additional fees will affect the actual amount you pay each year. Schools are presented to help you narrow choices, not to substitute for direct financial-aid counseling or current institutional disclosures.
Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska
These schools are ranked by academic excellence, and all under $20,000/year.
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2026 #1 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #1 Best Research Universities in Nebraska 2026 #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
69%
Student body
26K
Median SAT/ACT
1214/25
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Cost of Degree: $10,108Expenses: $18,548Starting Salary: $61,819Cost Recoup Time: 10 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
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing/Management
- Accounting
- Logistics And Supply Chain Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration Comprehensive
Degree Concentrations
- Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in General Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Nonprofit Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Organizational And Relational Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminology And Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Early Childhood & Family Advocacy
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Early Childhood Education In A Mobile Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BAEd in Early Childhood Inclusive
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BGS in General Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BGS in Humanities
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSEd in Library Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Library Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Multidisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BGS in Professional Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BSG in Social Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Sociology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Women'S And Gender Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical Imaging & Therapeutic Sciences
- Required Credits: 20
- Format: Fully online
BSN in Nursing
Degree Concentrations
- Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 20
- Format: Fully online
BS in Medical Laboratory Science
- Required Credits: 35
- Format: Fully online
BS in Applied Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Gerontology
Degree Concentrations
- Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Gerontology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Applied Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BMS in Aviation Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
- #2 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #3 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2026 #3 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #3 Best Research Universities in Nebraska 2026
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
51%
Student body
18K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nebraska Omaha
Cost of Degree: $8,370Expenses: $16,604Starting Salary: $59,749Cost Recoup Time: 9 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
- Format: Fully online
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #3 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #4 Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2026
Tuition + fees
$9K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
62%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1015/22
Career Outlook for degree at University of Nebraska at Kearney
Cost of Degree: $8,270Expenses: $17,784Starting Salary: $55,176Cost Recoup Time: 10 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
- Format: Fully online
- #3 Best Small 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: $7,564Expenses: $15,060Starting Salary: $51,365Cost Recoup Time: 9 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
- 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
- #4 Best Small 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: $7,923Expenses: $14,802Starting Salary: $50,482Cost Recoup Time: 10 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
- 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
- #14 Most Affordable Online Colleges Ranked for Students 2026 #5 Best Grad Schools in Nebraska 2026 #5 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2026
Tuition + fees
$10K
Graduation
29%
Student body
20K
Career Outlook for degree at Bellevue University
Cost of Degree: $8,886Expenses: $16,440Starting Salary: $65,909Cost Recoup Time: 8 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
- Format: Fully online
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Analysis And Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Analytics
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Business Leadership And Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in International Business Administration
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Management Of Human Resources
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Marketing
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Project Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BA in Sport Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Sport Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Supply Chain, Transportation And Logistics Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BAS in Computer Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Computer Information Systems
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Data Science
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Information Technology
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in It Operations Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Management Information Systems
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Software Development
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Systems And Network Administration
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Web Development
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Child Protection And Juvenile Justice
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Criminal Justice (Cohort)
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Cybersecurity (Cohort)
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Intelligence And Security Studies
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Legal Studies
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Security Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Adult Education
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BA in Communication Studies
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in History
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Leadership
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BA in Liberal Studies
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Public Health Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Format: Fully online
BS in Health Science
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Healthcare Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Behavioral Science
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Professional Psychology
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Mathematics
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
BS in Sustainability Management
- Required Credits: 127
- Format: Fully online
- #6 Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #6 Best Public 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: $8,280Expenses: $14,196Starting Salary: $47,905Cost Recoup Time: 10 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
- 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
- #8 Best Christian Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #10 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #12 Best Online Colleges in Nebraska 2026 #14 Best Online Master's Programs 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: $21,600Expenses: $12,900Starting Salary: $50,139Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat 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
Nebraska’s Most Affordable Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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