Best Value Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Nebraska

Peru State College delivers the strongest return on investment among Nebraska's 13 criminal justice programs, with graduates earning $39,369 annually after paying just $11,401 net cost. This 3.5-to-1 earnings ratio stands out in a state where public options range from $11,401 to $17,424 while private programs climb to $32,380. Nebraska's insurance industry, anchored by Mutual of Omaha and other major carriers, creates steady demand for fraud investigators and compliance specialists with criminal justice backgrounds. The earnings spread across programs reaches nearly $9,000, from $30,409 to $39,369, making school choice particularly important for long-term financial outcomes.

Programs

$11,401 – $32,380

Net Price Range

$34,788

Avg. Program Earnings

54.7%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Criminal Justice and Corrections Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Peru State College Peru, Nebraska	$11,401	$39,369	$8,280	37.7%
2	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, Nebraska	$12,791	$37,100	$8,370	47.5%	85.9%
3	Chadron State College Chadron, Nebraska	$13,308	$30,409	$8,078	38.1%
4	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$39,369	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
5	Wayne State College Wayne, Nebraska	$15,108	$32,658	$7,970	55.7%
6	University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, Nebraska	$16,488	$35,365	$8,302	59.8%	86.0%
7	Midland University Fremont, Nebraska	$24,229	$30,409	$40,270	43.2%	64.9%
8	Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska	$28,345	$34,420	$8,886	55.9%
9	Doane University Crete, Nebraska	$28,071	$33,993	$40,491	55.9%	75.8%
10	Concordia University-Nebraska Seward, Nebraska	$24,016		$39,330	64.1%	90.8%
11	Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska	$32,380		$47,000	80.5%	75.7%
12	Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, Nebraska	$23,140		$41,658	68.9%	81.5%
13	York University York, Nebraska	$20,129		$21,600	37.4%	57.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Peru State College such a strong value for criminal justice students?

Peru State combines the lowest net cost at $11,401 with the highest graduate earnings at $39,369, creating an strong cost-to-earnings ratio. Students also graduate with $25,000 in debt, which is manageable given their earning potential.

How do public and private criminal justice programs compare financially in Nebraska?

Public programs range from $11,401 to $17,424 in net costs, while private options span $20,129 to $32,380. However, earnings vary significantly within both categories, from $30,409 to $39,369, making individual program outcomes more important than sector type.

Is the University of Nebraska-Lincoln worth the higher cost for criminal justice?

UNL charges $17,424 net cost but delivers $39,369 in graduate earnings and a 65.80% graduation rate. This combination of strong earnings and completion rates justifies the premium over lower-cost state options.

Where do criminal justice graduates find employment opportunities in Nebraska?

Nebraska's insurance sector, led by companies like Mutual of Omaha, employs fraud investigators and compliance specialists. The state's agriculture and tech industries also create positions in corporate security and regulatory enforcement roles.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.