Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on May 8, 2024

Accredited Degree Programs, Scholarships and Resources for Top Schools

Between the state’s K-12 programs, community colleges, state colleges and private colleges, Nebraska offers a wide range of online courses. During the 2013-2014 school year, over 7,500 students in Nebraska were enrolled in at least one online course. Students in K-12 use the Nebraska Online Instruction Source for supplemental courses, blended courses or video conferencing, but the state currently has no fully-online K-12 schools. Multiple public and private universities offer online degree programs and courses in a variety of subjects and degree levels at the post-secondary level.

Top Online Programs

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Best Online Colleges in Nebraska

During the 2016-2017 school year, 80.5% of students in Nebraska enrolled in at least one online course. Multiple public and private universities offer online degrees and courses for undergraduate and graduate students in Nebraska. This guide covers important information for students considering online schools and colleges in Nebraska, including financial aid opportunities, programs for nontraditional learners, and helpful resources for current and prospective students.

#1 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Creighton University

  • Location-markerOmaha, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$39,630
  • Out-of-state$39,630
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$16,128
  • Out-of-state$16,128
  • Retention Rate90%
  • Acceptance Rate74%
  • Students Enrolled8,821
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment38%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

University of Nebraska at Kearney

  • Location-markerKearney, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,090
  • Out-of-state$13,290
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,048
  • Out-of-state$13,296
  • Retention Rate77%
  • Acceptance Rate85%
  • Students Enrolled6,279
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment65%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  • Location-markerLincoln, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,560
  • Out-of-state$24,000
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,976
  • Out-of-state$17,280
  • Retention Rate81%
  • Acceptance Rate78%
  • Students Enrolled25,390
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment49%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

University of Nebraska at Omaha

  • Location-markerOmaha, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$6,224
  • Out-of-state$19,488
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,558
  • Out-of-state$14,440
  • Retention Rate74%
  • Acceptance Rate83%
  • Students Enrolled15,153
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment53%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Bellevue University

  • Location-markerBellevue, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$7,176
  • Out-of-state$7,176
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,530
  • Out-of-state$10,530
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled11,637
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment95%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska

  • Location-markerSeward, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$32,890
  • Out-of-state$32,890
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,650
  • Out-of-state$8,650
  • Retention Rate82%
  • Acceptance Rate78%
  • Students Enrolled2,703
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment27%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Peru State College

  • Location-markerPeru, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,520
  • Out-of-state$5,520
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,898
  • Out-of-state$8,898
  • Retention Rate67%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,109
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment58%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Chadron State College

  • Location-markerChadron, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,082
  • Out-of-state$5,110
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,086
  • Out-of-state$8,172
  • Retention Rate71%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled2,407
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment75%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Wayne State College

  • Location-markerWayne, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$5,445
  • Out-of-state$10,890
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,086
  • Out-of-state$8,172
  • Retention Rate69%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled3,890
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment35%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health

  • Location-markerOmaha, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$15,422
  • Out-of-state$15,422
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,955
  • Out-of-state$11,955
  • Retention Rate68%
  • Acceptance Rate97%
  • Students Enrolled1,128
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment62%
  • AccreditationYes
#11 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Clarkson College

  • Location-markerOmaha, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$13,392
  • Out-of-state$13,392
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,178
  • Out-of-state$11,178
  • Retention Rate59%
  • Acceptance Rate46%
  • Students Enrolled1,108
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment94%
  • AccreditationYes
#12 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

York College

  • Location-markerYork, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$18,910
  • Out-of-state$18,910
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$4,500
  • Out-of-state$4,500
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance Rate57%
  • Students Enrolled507
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment18%
  • AccreditationYes
#13 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

University of Nebraska Medical Center

  • Location-markerOmaha, NE
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$11,040
  • Out-of-state$29,700
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,964
  • Out-of-state$25,677
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled4,055
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment20%
  • AccreditationYes
#14 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Metropolitan Community College

  • Location-markerOmaha, NE
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,880
  • Out-of-state$4,320
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate61%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled14,300
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment31%
  • AccreditationYes
#15 Best Online Schools and Colleges in Nebraska

Southeast Community College

  • Location-markerLincoln, NE
  • 2 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,448
  • Out-of-state$2,952
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled9,756
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment41%
  • AccreditationYes

City Spotlight: Colleges in Nebraska

Omaha, NE

Omaha is a well-educated city. Per the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly a third of the city’s residents have earned bachelor’s degrees or higher, which beats state and national averages. Choices for higher education institutions range in size from nearly 30,000 to about 400 students. Some of the major occupations in Omaha, such as finance, health services and education, require postsecondary education to prepare industry professionals.

Several local institutions provide online education for students in Omaha. According to U.S. News & World Report, the University of Nebraska at Omaha ranks No. 20 nationally for its online bachelor’s degree programs. UNO offers a variety of master’s and certificate programs as well as individual courses. For online credits, a UNO transcript looks no different than for a student attending the school’s physical campus.

Colleges and Universities in Omaha

COLLEGESIZETUITIONTYPE
University of Nebraska at Omaha17,617$5,050Public
Creighton University8,826$30,484Not For Profit (Private)
University of Nebraska Medical Center3,748$7,920Public
Clarkson College1,312$10,272Not For Profit (Private)
College of Saint Mary1,227$23,870Not For Profit (Private)
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health934$11,520Not For Profit (Private)
Grace University579$16,016Not For Profit (Private)
Metropolitan Community College Area32,650$2,160Public

How Can I Find Which Online Colleges Offer the Degree I’m Looking for in Nebraska?

With so many options, choosing an online college or university in Nebraska can feel overwhelming. Prospective students can search the Open Education Database, which offers an annotated list of the state’s online schools, to help narrow their choices. The following resource also provides helpful information about Nebraska’s online colleges and universities.

Search All Accredited Schools in Nebraska

How Much More Do College Grads in Nebraska Make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average Nebraska worker earns $46,710 per year, which is higher than the national average. Nebraska’s comparatively high median wage is largely due to the state’s sizeable agribusiness, renewable energy, and financial services industries, all sectors that need an educated workforce.

Nebraska professionals can advance their careers and increase their salary potential by earning a degree. As the following table illustrates, higher levels of educational attainment typically correlate with higher salaries.

Less Than a High School DiplomaHigh School DiplomaAssociate Degree
$28,756$37,960$44,824
Bachelor’s DegreeMaster’s DegreeDoctoral Degree
$62,296$74,568$94,900

Source: BLS

Paying for Online College in Nebraska: Tuition and Financial Aid

Nebraska students enjoy lower-than-average tuition rates. For example, Nebraska’s average in-state tuition rate is $8,188 compared to the national average of $9,037, while Nebraska’s average out-of-state tuition rate is $20,555 compared to the national average of $25,567. Students attending online schools and colleges in Nebraska can also take advantage of financial aid opportunities to help offset the cost of their education.

In-State TuitionOut-of-State TuitionNational Average
$8,168$20,555$9,037 (In-State) $25,657 (Out-of-State)
TuitionOut-of-State TuitionNational Average
$23,659N/A$30,731

Source: National Center for Education Statistics

Cost Considerations for Online Students in Nebraska

When weighing their education costs, students should consider factors beyond tuition, such as online fees and travel expenses. The following list covers several cost considerations for online students in Nebraska.

Qualifying for In-State Tuition in Nebraska

Students can qualify for in-state tuition at Nebraska schools in one of several ways, such as living in Nebraska for 12 consecutive months. Students can also establish residency by marrying a Nebraska resident, holding refugee status, or serving as a member of the U.S. military stationed in Nebraska.

Paying for College in Nebraska: Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students at online colleges and schools in Nebraska can take advantage of scholarships and grants to help pay for their education. We cover several scholarship and grant opportunities for Nebraska students below.

Scholarships for Nebraska College Students

Grants for Nebraska College Students

The Importance of Accreditation for Online Colleges and Universities in Nebraska

Accreditation indicates that a school meets high academic standards and benefits students in several ways. For example, only students at accredited schools qualify for financial aid, and many schools only accept and recognize transfer credits and degrees from regionally accredited institutions. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire graduates with an accredited degree.

Regional and National Accreditation

Schools may hold regional or national accreditation. Regional accreditation typically applies to nonprofit, degree-granting institutions, while national accreditation applies to for-profit, technical and vocational schools. Regional accreditation is generally considered the more prestigious of the two. There are several independent regional accrediting bodies that accredit schools based on their location. The Higher Learning Commission accredits Nebraska schools.

Subject-Specific Accreditation

Some programs within a school may also hold accreditation, such as nursing programs, which are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Several fields require professionals to hold a degree from an accredited program to qualify for licensure or certification.

How to Know if Your School or Program is Accredited

Most schools and programs feature their accreditation status on their websites. Students can also verify a program or school’s accreditation status by searching the Council on Higher Education Administration’s directory or the Department of Education’s database.

Online College and Adult Education in Nebraska

Nebraska offers many learning opportunities for nontraditional students. We cover several adult education programs and resources in the following sections.

By the Numbers: Adult Education in Nebraska

26,481 Nebraska students are taking all of their courses online.

Almost 39% of Nebraska’s online students do not reside in the state.

About 81% of Nebraska’s college students take at least one online course.

Source: The Distance Education State Almanac 2017

Adult Education Programs for Nebraska Students

Online College Resources for Nebraska Students

Prospective and current online students in Nebraska can take advantage of many resources to support their studies. The following resources provide information on topics like financial aid opportunities, program availability, and the state’s community colleges.