Cheapest Psychology Colleges in Nebraska

Peru State College offers the most affordable psychology degree in Nebraska at just $11,401 net cost, nearly $17,000 less than the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This gap reflects a broader pattern where public institutions dominate affordability rankings, with five of the six cheapest programs coming from state schools. Psychology graduates in Nebraska find opportunities across the state's insurance sector, with companies like Mutual of Omaha requiring professionals skilled in human behavior analysis for risk assessment and customer relations roles. Earnings potential varies significantly, from $22,602 at UNK to $33,993 at Bellevue University, while graduation rates span from Peru State's 37.7% to Nebraska Wesleyan's 68.9%. The state's 16 psychology programs create different pathways for students, whether they prioritize low debt at public colleges or higher completion rates at private institutions.

Programs

$11,401 – $32,380

Net Price Range

$30,142

Avg. Program Earnings

54.3%

Avg. Graduation Rate

16 Psychology, General 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	College of Saint Mary Omaha, Nebraska	$14,986	$23,340	59.4%	64.6%
5	Wayne State College Wayne, Nebraska	$15,108	$7,970	55.7%
6	University of Nebraska at Kearney Kearney, Nebraska	$16,488	$8,302	59.8%	86.0%
7	University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska	$17,424	$10,108	65.8%	78.6%
8	York University York, Nebraska	$20,129	$21,600	37.4%	57.3%
9	Union Adventist University Lincoln, Nebraska	$20,884	$27,990	45.9%	98.8%
10	Hastings College Hastings, Nebraska	$21,554	$36,130	53.3%	71.3%
11	Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, Nebraska	$23,140	$41,658	68.9%	81.5%
12	Concordia University-Nebraska Seward, Nebraska	$24,016	$39,330	64.1%	90.8%
13	Midland University Fremont, Nebraska	$24,229	$40,270	43.2%	64.9%
14	Doane University Crete, Nebraska	$28,071	$40,491	55.9%	75.8%
15	Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska	$28,345	$8,886	55.9%
16	Creighton University Omaha, Nebraska	$32,380	$47,000	80.5%	75.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $17,000 gap between Peru State and Nebraska-Lincoln psychology programs?

Peru State College charges $11,401 net cost compared to $17,424 at UNL, primarily due to different institutional missions and resources. Peru State operates as a regional public college serving rural Nebraska, while UNL functions as the state's flagship research university. Both offer psychology degrees, but UNL provides more research opportunities and faculty resources. Peru State graduates earn $33,281 annually, actually exceeding UNL psychology graduates who earn $31,385.

How do private college psychology programs compare financially to public options?

Private colleges cost significantly more, with Nebraska Wesleyan at $23,140 and Doane at $28,071 compared to public schools averaging under $17,000. However, private institutions show higher graduation rates, with Nebraska Wesleyan achieving 68.9% compared to 47.5% at UNO. College of Saint Mary stands out among private schools with a $14,986 net cost and 59.4% graduation rate. Private college graduates often carry higher debt loads, averaging $25,000 to $27,000 versus $19,000 to $23,000 at public institutions.

Where do psychology graduates find the best earning potential in Nebraska?

Bellevue University psychology graduates earn the highest salaries at $33,993 annually, followed closely by Peru State at $33,281 and Chadron State at $32,925. These earnings reflect opportunities in Nebraska's insurance industry, healthcare systems, and social services sectors. UNK graduates start lowest at $22,602, though this may reflect different career paths or geographic factors. The state's major employers like Mutual of Omaha and regional healthcare networks actively recruit psychology graduates for various behavioral health and human resources positions.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Nebraska psychology programs?

Higher-cost private institutions generally achieve better graduation rates, with Nebraska Wesleyan at 68.9% and Concordia at 64.1% leading the state. However, public universities show mixed results, with UNL achieving 65.8% despite moderate costs while Peru State manages only 37.7%. Wayne State College breaks this pattern with a 55.7% graduation rate at just $15,108 net cost. York University demonstrates that cost alone doesn't guarantee success, charging $20,129 but graduating only 37.4% of psychology students.

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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.