Best Colleges in Nebraska 2026

Nebraska's higher education landscape offers students 15 qualifying institutions, with the top 5 representing a balanced mix of 4 private and 1 public school. The leading colleges excel in specialized fields, particularly health sciences and technical education. Clarkson College leads the rankings through strong career outcomes and focused programs, while the Universal College of Healing Arts demonstrates excellence in alternative medicine education. When evaluating Nebraska schools, students should prioritize graduation rates, job placement statistics, and program-specific accreditation. The state's top institutions consistently deliver strong return on investment through targeted career preparation and industry connections. Consider factors like class sizes, clinical opportunities, and employer partnerships when making your final decision.

Schools Ranked

$50,154

Avg. Earnings

54.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

Top 25 Schools

College rankings
#	School	Graduation Rate	Median Earnings	Acceptance Rate	In-State Tuition
1	Clarkson College Omaha, Nebraska	75.0%	$64,876	56.1%	$15,168
2	Universal College of Healing Arts Omaha, Nebraska	100.0%	$28,865		$11,822
3	Bryan College of Health Sciences Lincoln, Nebraska	75.5%	$70,845	67.6%	$20,070
4	Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Curtis, Nebraska	56.9%	$56,887		$5,756
5	Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska	55.9%	$61,289		$8,886
6	Northeast Community College Norfolk, Nebraska	55.8%	$42,634		$3,840
7	Wayne State College Wayne, Nebraska	55.7%	$47,075		$7,970
8	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	65.8%	$56,887	78.6%	$10,108
9	Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska	80.5%	$73,911	75.7%	$47,000
10	Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health Omaha, Nebraska	66.7%	$65,071	90.5%	$18,173
11	Mid-Plains Community College North Platte, Nebraska	45.6%	$40,059		$3,600
12	Central Community College Grand Island, Nebraska	44.8%	$39,429		$3,360
13	College of Saint Mary Omaha, Nebraska	59.4%	$54,338	64.6%	$23,340
14	University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, Nebraska	59.8%	$50,105	86.0%	$8,302
15	Chadron State College Chadron, Nebraska	38.1%	$47,002		$8,078
16	Peru State College Peru, Nebraska	37.7%	$47,071		$8,280
17	Western Nebraska Community College Scottsbluff, Nebraska	35.5%	$38,729		$3,000
18	University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, Nebraska	47.5%	$53,909	85.9%	$8,370
19	Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, Nebraska	26.5%	$43,405		$3,540
20	Metropolitan Community College Area Omaha, Nebraska	25.1%	$38,773		$3,285
21	Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, Nebraska	68.9%	$56,405	81.5%	$41,658
22	York University York, Nebraska	37.4%	$44,130	57.3%	$21,600
23	Myotherapy Institute Lincoln, Nebraska	42.9%	$27,531		$16,390
24	Hastings College Hastings, Nebraska	53.3%	$51,303	71.3%	$36,130
25	Doane University Crete, Nebraska	55.9%	$53,316	75.8%	$40,491