Cheapest Criminal Justice and Corrections Colleges in Nebraska

Criminal Justice and Corrections students in Nebraska face a striking cost divide between public and private options. Peru State College leads affordability at $11,401 net price, while Creighton University reaches $32,380 for the same field. The state's insurance industry, anchored by Mutual of Omaha, creates steady demand for criminal justice professionals in fraud investigation and corporate security roles. Graduates from Nebraska's most affordable programs earn between $30,409 and $39,369 annually, with public schools delivering the strongest return on investment for budget-conscious students entering law enforcement careers.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $21,000 cost gap between Nebraska's cheapest and most expensive Criminal Justice programs?

Peru State College charges $11,401 net price compared to Creighton University's $32,380, reflecting the public versus private divide. Public schools like Peru State and University of Nebraska at Omaha keep costs low through state funding, while private institutions offer smaller class sizes and specialized facilities at premium prices.

How do graduation rates compare across Nebraska's most affordable Criminal Justice schools?

Among the top six cheapest programs, graduation rates range from 37.7% at Peru State to 65.8% at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Wayne State College achieves a solid 55.7% graduation rate at just $15,108 net cost, offering strong value for completing a degree.

Does attending a more expensive Criminal Justice program guarantee higher earnings in Nebraska?

Not necessarily - Peru State College graduates earn $39,369 annually despite the school's $11,401 net cost, matching University of Nebraska-Lincoln earnings. Midland University charges $24,229 but graduates earn only $30,409, showing cost doesn't always correlate with salary outcomes.

Where do Criminal Justice graduates find employment opportunities in Nebraska's economy?

Nebraska's insurance sector, led by Mutual of Omaha, hires criminal justice graduates for fraud investigation and risk assessment positions. The state's agricultural economy also creates demand for regulatory enforcement roles, while Berkshire Hathaway's Omaha headquarters offers corporate security opportunities.

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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.