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$8,078Tuition
1,634Students
38%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$47,002Earnings
#15 in NebraskaPublic4-yearNCAA Division IIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Chadron State College

Chadron State has built its reputation as a teacher training powerhouse in the Nebraska panhandle since 1911. This small college serves 1,634 students in the remote town of Chadron, where students often come for education and business programs. Women make up 64% of the student body, reflecting the school's strong draw for future teachers and human service professionals. The campus sits in one of Nebraska's most isolated settings, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Students pay an average net price of $13,308 after financial aid, with identical in-state and out-of-state tuition of $8,078. Graduates earn a median of $47,002 ten years after leaving school, while carrying typical debt of $18,875. The loan repayment rate of 61% suggests some graduates struggle to keep up with their $200 monthly payments. For families earning under $30,000, the net price drops to $10,639, making this an affordable option for rural and working-class students.

The Eagles compete in NCAA Division II with 399 athletes across 12 sports, earning $1.6 million in athletic scholarships. Only 38% of students graduate within six years, though 98% find employment after leaving. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know every student by name in this remote corner of the Great Plains.

Academics & Faculty

Chadron State College serves as Nebraska's western outpost for teacher preparation and outdoor recreation programs. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio provides close mentoring in small classes, though the 41% four-year graduation rate reflects challenges many rural students face balancing work and studies. The college built its reputation on education degrees, particularly for training teachers who serve Nebraska's rural schools. Business and criminal justice programs also draw students to this remote campus. With 1,634 students, professors know their students by name and can provide individualized attention. The college emphasizes hands-on learning through internships and field experiences that connect classroom theory to real-world practice in western Nebraska communities.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
15:1
Full-Time Faculty
59.3%
Graduation Rate (4-year)
41.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
38.1%
Retention Rate
69.8%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$47,002
Carnegie Classification
Master's University (Medium)

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Master $73,949
Educational Administration and Supervision. Master $69,338
Student Counseling and Personnel Services. Master $58,673
Curriculum and Instruction. Master $56,415
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. Master $47,260
Human Resources Management and Services. Master $42,235
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. Bachelor $41,844
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. Bachelor $37,699
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Bachelor $37,568
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other. Bachelor $35,060

View all 33 programs →

Campus Life

The Nebraska panhandle gets harsh winters that require serious winter gear, and Chadron sits 100 miles from any major city. With housing for 1,197 students and total enrollment of 1,634, about 73% of students can live on campus if they choose. The remote setting creates a tight-knit community where students rely heavily on each other for social activities.

Women make up 64% of the student body, creating a female-majority campus environment. The 399 varsity athletes across 12 Division II sports teams form a significant portion of the social scene, with Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference competitions drawing campus-wide support. Weekend activities center around outdoor recreation in the nearby Pine Ridge and Black Hills regions. Students often organize group trips for hiking, camping, and exploring the rugged landscape that defines this corner of Nebraska. The small-town atmosphere means campus events and residence hall programming become central to social life. About half the students come from in-state, but the shared experience of living in rural Nebraska creates bonds across geographic boundaries.
Setting
Town-Remote
Housing Capacity
1,197 beds
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available
Founded
1911

Campus Safety (2023)

32 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Rape 5 5 3 0
Dating Violence 3 3 1 0
Burglary 4 1 0 0
Fondling 1 1 1 0
Stalking 2 0 1 0
Domestic Violence 0 0 1 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
10°–38°F
July Avg
57°–89°F
Annual Precipitation
36.9"
Annual Snowfall
42.7"

Student Demographics

Chadron State draws students from across the region, with just over half coming from Nebraska. The student body is predominantly female, reflecting the college's strong education and human services programs that have long attracted women to teaching and social work careers. About one-third of students receive Pell Grants, showing the college serves many first-generation and working-class families from rural communities. The school maintains its historical mission as a regional teaching college, preparing educators and human service professionals for small towns across the Great Plains.
Men
36.4%
Women
63.7%
White
76.3%
Black
3.8%
Hispanic
11.8%
Asian
0.5%
In-State Students
50.9%
Pell Grant Recipients
35.9%

Location

Chadron sits in the far northwestern corner of Nebraska, roughly 100 miles from Scottsbluff and 400 miles from Denver. The town of 5,400 residents sits in the Pine Ridge area near the South Dakota border. Students can explore the nearby Nebraska National Forest and Chadron State Park's rugged badlands terrain. With 50.93% of students coming from in-state, the campus draws heavily from Nebraska's rural communities. The remote setting means limited off-campus entertainment options beyond outdoor recreation. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing, while summers bring pleasant hiking weather. The 15:1 student-faculty ratio reflects the intimate small-town atmosphere where professors know students by name. Students considering colleges in Nebraska may also compare Chadron State College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Chadron, Nebraska 69337-2690
Adelaide Miller Hall from NW 1
Adelaide Miller Hall from NW 1

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$47,002
Median Earnings (5 years)
$50,389
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$35,700
Loan Repayment Rate
61.3%
Monthly Loan Payment
$200/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,875

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student body composition at Chadron State College?

Chadron State College enrolls 1,634 students with women making up 63.65% of the student body. The campus draws roughly half its students from Nebraska while maintaining a predominantly white student population at 76.32%, with growing Hispanic representation at 11.75%.

How much does Chadron State College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $13,308 annually, with lower-income families paying as little as $10,639. The college offers the same tuition rate of $8,078 for both in-state and out-of-state students, making it accessible for students from neighboring states.

What are the graduation rates at Chadron State College?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 38.10%, while the four-year rate is 41.11%. The college maintains a 69.75% retention rate, reflecting the challenges many regional state colleges face in supporting students to completion.

How strong are athletics at Chadron State College?

The Eagles compete in NCAA Division II with 12 varsity sports programs that include 399 total athletes. The college invests $1,594,538 in athletic scholarships, demonstrating a significant commitment to sports programs that serve as a major draw for this rural Nebraska institution.

What do graduates earn after attending Chadron State College?

Alumni earn a median salary of $47,002 ten years after graduation, with strong employment prospects at 97.6%. Graduates typically carry $18,875 in debt with manageable monthly loan payments of $200, making this a financially practical choice for career preparation.

Where is Chadron State College located and what is campus life like?

The college sits in the remote town of Chadron, Nebraska, near the state's western border close to the Black Hills. With housing capacity for 1,197 students and a 15:1 student-faculty ratio, the campus offers an intimate small-town college experience rooted in the region's ranching and outdoor recreation culture.