Best Online Colleges in Nebraska 2023
No matter your learning priorities, budget, or student life preferences, Nebraska offers a plethora of quality institutions of higher education from which to choose. Nationwide, students are flocking to higher education institutions in Nebraska.
According to College Choice, “Nebraska’s statistics on higher education nearly speak for themselves: their retention rate of college students is above the national average at 70 percent (the second-highest in the region); their average cost of tuition at a public university is lower than the national average at $7,000 a year; and Nebraska awards over $125 million in financial aid each year.”
Nebraska is on the front lines of college affordability and quality.
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Rankings | Overview | List of Accredited Online Colleges in Nebraska
Rankings
At EDsmart, we present our recommendations and rankings based on our own home-grown methodology.
The initial list of schools was gathered from current rankings from reliable sources such as U.S. News, BestColleges, etc.
The best online colleges in Nebraska are ranked based on four data points in three categories with each data point being weighted equally:
- Affordability (financial aid, net price)
- Student Satisfaction (retention rate)
- Student Outcome (4-year graduation rate)
Schools received a weighted overall ranking score for each individual point mentioned above–100 being the highest score possible.
With a tie in scoring, the average net price was the determining factor for which school received the higher rank–the lower the net price, the higher the ranking.
Data was gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics website and is accurate at the time of this writing [March 2023].
Best Accredited Online Colleges in Nebraska 2023
#1 Bryan College of Health Sciences
Score: 100
Salary After Attending: $59,446
Average Net Price: $27,423
Retention Rate: 85%
Graduation Rate: 76%
Located in Lincoln, NE, Bryan College of Health Sciences undergraduate students can study sonography, healthcare studies, biomedical sciences, and nursing. On a graduate level, students can earn a Master of Science degree in nursing. Scholars can also continue toward doctoral studies in education or nurse anesthesia practice (DNAP). One of the best colleges in Nebraska for medical studies, Bryan College also boasts an early college access program for high school students interested in the medical field. Students at Bryan College will enjoy the unique opportunity to learn in a college located inside a medical center.
#2 Concordia University Nebraska
Score: 99.5
Salary After Attending: $45,784
Average Net Price: $22,035
Retention Rate: 81%
Graduation Rate: 63%
Ranked #46 in Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News & World Report, Concordia University Nebraska’s on-campus student life offers several opportunities for theater, musical arts, athletics, visual arts, and more. The main campus is in Seward, Nebraska, providing its students with a small-town, rural learning atmosphere. Additionally, CUNE offers several undergraduate degrees and most of its graduate degrees online. From master’s degrees in school counseling, special education, TESOL, and early childhood education to endorsements for reading specialists and special education, Concordia University Nebraska designed its online program specifically to provide maximum flexibility for its students.
With an acceptance rate of 85%, Concordia University Nebraska strives to be, “a thriving Lutheran university that engages students in dynamic, life-shaping learning experiences and relationships as they discover, pursue and realize their vocational callings.”
#3 Wayne State College
Score: 98.8
Salary After Attending: $43,727
Average Net Price: $14,141
Retention Rate: 72%
Graduation Rate: 49%
Founded in 1910, Wayne State College was known as Nebraska State Teachers College at Wayne until 1963. Though the school began as a teacher’s college, popular degrees at Wayne State include elementary education, criminal justice, business, and safety studies. Wayne State College accepts 100% of its applicants, has a 49% graduation rate, and a total enrollment of about 3,700 undergraduate students. According to U.S. News & World Reports, Wayne State College is ranked #30 in Top Public Schools, making it one of the best schools in Nebraska.
The public college is known for its unique offerings of the Northeast Nebraska Teacher Academy for its education students and the Rural Health Opportunities Program for its medical students.
#4 Peru State College
Score: 98.8
Salary After Attending: $42,121
Average Net Price: $14,220
Retention Rate: 65%
Graduation Rate: 44%
With an undergraduate enrollment of 1,600 students, an acceptance rate of 100%, a 44% graduation rate, and a student-faculty ratio of 21:1, Peru State College is the first and oldest institution in Nebraska. PSC was founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865. Peru State College has been dedicated to student success and upholding values of community engagement, respect, and lifelong learning.
Peru State Online prides itself on being one of the most affordable online colleges. Offering eight-week and sixteen-week sessions throughout the year, undergraduate students can earn degrees in accounting, management, marketing, human resources and risk management, psychology, public administration, and criminal justice. Graduate students can earn their Master’s degrees in education and organizational management.
Honorable Mention:
York University
A private, four-year college located in York, Nebraska, York College was founded in 1890 by the United Brethren Church. The school purports itself to be Christ-centered, allowing its students a variety of opportunities for spiritual and academic growth. Ranked #40 in Regional Colleges Midwest by U.S. News & World Reports, York College has an average fall semester enrollment of approximately 435 undergraduates. York College’s online program includes master's degrees in education, organizational leadership, and global leadership.
Overview
Located amid the Great Plains region of the central United States, Nebraska is home to almost 1.9 million people. Its biggest city is Omaha, at 492,000, though, when combined with its surrounding metro area, the city’s population rises to almost 851,000. Farming and ranching are significant components of Nebraska’s economy, and the state’s abundant farmland makes it an essential provider of corn and soybeans, as well as beef and pork. However, there are also manufacturing and other business interests at play in the state, including rail and truck shipping, telecommunications, and more. Companies with headquarters in Nebraska include Union Pacific Railroad, ConAgra, and Cabela’s. The state’s railroad history is a long one: Union Pacific was incorporated in 1862, and North Platte’s Bailey Yard is the world’s largest train yard. There are dozens of community colleges and private and public four-year institutions serving Nebraska. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln has almost 23,000 students, and its athletic teams compete in NCAA’s Division I as part of the Big 12 Conference. Arbor Day was founded in Nebraska in 1872.
The Nebraska State College System consists of Chadron State College, Peru State College, and Wayne State College. The Community College Association represents the eight public community colleges in Nebraska, all of which offer distance learning opportunities. Private colleges and universities include both for-profit and nonprofit institutions, as well as schools dedicated to various religious faiths.
Either national or regional accrediting agencies accredit Nebraskan colleges and universities. Regional accreditation in Nebraska is done through the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which is a part of The Higher Learning Commission. Recognized agencies do not accredit colleges and universities in Nebraska that do not hold accreditation from one of these regional or national bodies. Some schools do not offer degrees, but certificates in particular trades, and those may have accreditation from an agency that only evaluates that trade or skill. In this case, a school does not need national or regional accreditation. Additionally, many regionally and nationally-accredited schools may have a secondary, specialized accreditation for programs in areas such as arts and humanities, education training, law, community and social services, personal car.
Further Reading: Cheapest Online Colleges Ranking
Accredited Online Colleges in Nebraska
Categories: Private | Public | For Profit | Faith Based
Private
School Name: Bellevue University
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1000 Galvin Rd S, Bellevue, Nebraska 68005-3098
Contact: (402) 291-8100
Website: www.bellevue.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree; Doctoral degree
School Name: College of Saint Mary
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 7000 Mercy Rd., Omaha, Nebraska 68106
Contact: (402) 399-2400
Website: www.csm.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Postbaccalaureate certificate; Master’s degree; Doctoral degree
School Name: Concordia University-Seward
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 800 N Columbia Ave, Seward, Nebraska 68434-1556
Contact: (800) 535-5494
Website: www.cune.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; Bachelor’s degree; Post baccalaureate certificate; Master’s degree
School Name: Creighton University
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178
Contact: (402) 280-2700
Website: www.creighton.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Post baccalaureate certificate; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate
School Name: Grace University
Accrediting Agency: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation & North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1311 S 9th St, Omaha, Nebraska 68108-3629
Contact: (402) 449-2800
Website: www.graceuniversity.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: ITT Technical Institute-Omaha
Accrediting Agency: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Address: 9814 M St, Omaha, Nebraska 68127-9812
Contact: (402) 331-2900
Website: www.itt-tech.edu
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
School Name: Kaplan University-Lincoln Campus
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1821 K St, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501-2826
Contact: (402) 474-5315
Website: www.kucampus.edu/kucampusportal/kucampuscampuses/nebraska/lincoln/
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two year certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Kaplan University-Omaha Campus
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 5425 N. 103rd St., Omaha, Nebraska 68134-1002
Contact: (402) 431-6100
Website:www.kucampus.edu/kucampusportal/kucampuscampuses/nebraska/omaha/
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: offered: One but less than two year certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Kaplan University-Omaha Campus
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 5425 N. 103rd St., Omaha, Nebraska 68134-1002
Contact: (402) 431-6100
Website:www.kucampus.edu/kucampusportal/kucampuscampuses/nebraska/omaha/
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: offered: One but less than two year certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Little Priest Tribal College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 610 College Drive, Winnebago, Nebraska 68071-0270
Contact: (402) 878-2380 x160
Website:wwwwww.littlepriest.edu/
Type of School: 2-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree
School Name: Midland University
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 900 N. Clarkson, Fremont, Nebraska 68025
Contact: (800) 642-8382
Website: www.midlandu.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Nebraska Christian College
Accrediting Agency: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
Address: 12550 S. 114th St., Papillion, Nebraska 68046
Contact: (402) 935-9400
Website: nechristian.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
School Name: Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 720 North 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-2852
Contact: (402) 354-7000
Website: www.methodistcollege.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate
School Name: Summit Christian College
Address: 2025 21st Street, Gering, Nebraska 69341
Contact: (308) 632-6933
Website: www.summitcc.net
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
School Name: The Creative Center
Accrediting Agency: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
Address: 10850 Emmet St, Omaha, Nebraska 68164
Contact: (402) 898-1000
Website: www.creativecenter.edu
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
School Name: Union College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 3800 S 48th, Lincoln, Nebraska 68506
Contact: (402) 486-2600
Website: www.ucollege.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Universal College of Healing Arts
Accrediting Agency: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools
Address: 8702 North 30th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68112-1810
Contact: (402) 556-4456
Website: www.ucha.com
Type of School: 2-year, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree
School Name: University of Phoenix-Omaha Campus
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 13321 California Street Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68154-5240
Contact: (402) 334-4936
Website: www.phoenix.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: York College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1125 E 8th St, York, Nebraska 68467-2699
Contact: (402) 363-5600
Website: www.york.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
Public
School Name: Central Community College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-4903
Contact: (308) 398-4222
Website: www.cccneb.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree
School Name: Chadron State College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1000 Main St, Chadron, Nebraska 69337-2690
Contact: (308) 432-6000
Website: www.csc.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree ;Post-master’s certificate
School Name: Metropolitan Community College Area
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 30 & Fort Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68111-1610
Contact: (402) 457-2400
Website: www.mccneb.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree
School Name: Mid-Plains Community College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska 69101
Contact: (800) 658-4308
Website: www.mpcc.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree
School Name: Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 404 East 7th, Curtis, Nebraska 69025-9552
Contact: (308) 367-5200 x253
Website: www.ncta.unl.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Two but less than 4 years certificate
School Name: Nebraska Indian Community College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1 College Hill, Macy, Nebraska 68039-0428
Contact: (402) 837-5078
Website: www.thenicc.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; Associate degree
School Name: Northeast Community College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 801 E Benjamin, Norfolk, Nebraska 68702-0469
Contact: (402) 371-2020
Website: www.northeast.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate’s degree
School Name: Peru State College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 600 Hoyt Street, Peru, Nebraska 68421-0010
Contact: (402) 872-3815
Website: www.peru.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Southeast Community College Area
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 301 South 68th Street Place, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510-2449
Contact: (402) 471-3333
Website: www.southeast.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree
School Name: University of Nebraska at Kearney
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 905 W 25th St, Kearney, Nebraska 68849-1212
Contact: (308) 865-8441
Website: www.unk.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate
School Name: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, Nebraska 68182-0225
Contact: (402) 554-2800
Website: www.unomaha.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Post baccalaureate certificate; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate; Doctoral degree
School Name: University of Nebraska Medical Center
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 987815 Nebraska Medical Ctr, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-7815
Contact: (402) 559-3937
Website: www.unmc.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Post baccalaureate certificate; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate; Doctoral degree; First-professional degree; First-professional certificate
School Name: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 14th and R St, Lincoln, Nebraska 68588
Contact: (402) 472-7211
Website: www.unl.edu/
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate
School Name: Wayne State College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1111 Main St, Wayne, Nebraska 68787
Contact: (402) 375-7000
Website: www.wsc.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Public
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate
School Name: Western Nebraska Community College
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1601 E 27th St, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361-1899
Contact: (308) 635-3606
Website: www.wncc.edu
Type of School: 2-year, Public
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Two but less than 4 years certificate
For-Profit
School Name: ITT Technical Institute-Omaha
Accrediting Agency: Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
Address: 9814 M St, Omaha, Nebraska 68127-9812
Contact: (402) 331-2900
Website: www.itt-tech.edu
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
School Name: Kaplan University-Lincoln Campus
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1821 K St, Lincoln, Nebraska 68501-2826
Contact: (402) 474-5315
Website: www.kucampus.edu/kucampusportal/kucampuscampuses/nebraska/lincoln/
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than a two-year certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Kaplan University-Omaha Campus
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 5425 N. 103rd St., Omaha, Nebraska 68134-1002
Contact: (402) 431-6100
Website:www.kucampus.edu/kucampusportal/kucampuscampuses/nebraska/omaha/
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: One but less than two-year certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: The Creative Center
Accrediting Agency: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
Address: 10850 Emmet St, Omaha, Nebraska 68164
Contact: (402) 898-1000
Website: www.creativecenter.edu
Type of School: 4-year, primarily associate’s, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
School Name: University of Phoenix-Omaha Campus
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 13321 California Street Suite 200, Omaha, Nebraska 68154-5240
Contact: (402) 334-4936
Website: www.phoenix.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private for-profit
Programs Offered: Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
Faith-Based
School Name: College of Saint Mary
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 7000 Mercy Rd., Omaha, Nebraska 68106
Contact: (402) 399-2400
Website: www.csm.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Post baccalaureate certificate; Master’s degree; Doctoral degree
School Name: Grace University
Accrediting Agency: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation & North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 1311 S 9th St, Omaha, Nebraska 68108-3629
Contact: (402) 449-2800
Website: www.graceuniversity.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree
School Name: Nebraska Christian College
Accrediting Agency: Association for Biblical Higher Education, Commission on Accreditation
Address: 12550 S. 114th St., Papillion, Nebraska 68046
Contact: (402) 935-9400
Website: nechristian.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree
School Name: Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Accrediting Agency: North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
Address: 720 North 87th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68114-2852
Contact: (402) 354-7000
Website: www.methodistcollege.edu
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree; Post-master’s certificate
School Name: Summit Christian College
Address: 2025 21st Street, Gering, Nebraska 69341
Contact: (308) 632-6933
Website: www.summitcc.net
Type of School: 4-year, Private not-for-profit
Programs Offered: Less than one year certificate; One but less than two years certificate; Associate degree; Bachelor’s degree