Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska (2026)
Updated
Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska lists 18 four-year institutions in Nebraska. Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page.
Peru State College ranks 1st on this list, with an average net price of $9,986 for families earning under $30,000. Across the 17 schools with a reported completion median, the average annual net price for families earning under $30,000 ranges from $9,986 to $23,196, with a median of $17,272 for families earning under $30,000.
The list includes 7 public and 11 private nonprofit schools. Peru State College reports the lowest average net price at $11,632, while University of Nebraska at Omaha ranks 186th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally. Creighton University posts the highest six-year completion rate at 83%.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peru State College · Peru, NE | $53,258 | $11,632 | $9,986 | Not reported |
| Peru State College reports an average net price of $9,986 for families earning under $30,000, the lowest on this list. | |||||
| 2 | Chadron State College · Chadron, NE | $51,820 | $12,549 | $10,047 | Not reported |
| Graduates of Chadron State College earn a median of $51,820 four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate is 50%. | |||||
| 3 | University of Nebraska at Omaha · Omaha, NE | $60,448 | $13,441 | $10,534 | 87.0% |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha reports median earnings of $60,448 for its graduates four years after completing and ranks 186th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 4 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln · Lincoln, NE | $62,769 | $17,747 | $12,751 | 87.5% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 67%, University of Nebraska-Lincoln admits 87% of applicants. | |||||
| 5 | Wayne State College · Wayne, NE | $52,406 | $15,360 | $12,844 | Not reported |
| Wayne State College reports an average net price of $12,844 for families earning under $30,000, and its graduates earn a median of $52,406 four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | University of Nebraska at Kearney · Kearney, NE | $56,647 | $16,242 | $13,066 | 89.5% |
| University of Nebraska at Kearney admits 89% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 58%. | |||||
| 7 | College of Saint Mary · Omaha, NE | $64,669 | $16,590 | $14,090 | 44.7% |
| College of Saint Mary, a private nonprofit university in Omaha, reports median earnings of $64,669 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Nebraska Wesleyan University · Lincoln, NE | $61,753 | $18,327 | $14,925 | 79.8% |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University reports an average net price of $14,925 for families earning under $30,000, and its six-year completion rate is 66%. | |||||
| 9 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health · Omaha, NE | $74,574 | $21,863 | $17,272 | 73.4% |
| Graduates of Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health earn a median of $74,574 four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 60%. | |||||
| 10 | Concordia University-Nebraska · Seward, NE | $53,848 | $23,965 | $19,107 | 85.7% |
| Concordia University-Nebraska admits 86% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 65%. | |||||
| 11 | York University · York, NE | $47,078 | $20,951 | $19,343 | 51.9% |
| York University reports an average net price of $19,343 for families earning under $30,000, and its graduates earn a median of $47,078 four years after completing. | |||||
| 12 | Union Adventist University · Lincoln, NE | $61,367 | $23,716 | $19,477 | 100.0% |
| Union Adventist University admits 100% of applicants and reports a six-year completion rate of 52%. | |||||
| 13 | Creighton University · Omaha, NE | $81,178 | $31,568 | $20,472 | 79.8% |
| Creighton University reports median earnings of $81,178 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $20,472 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 14 | Midland University · Fremont, NE | $58,061 | $26,267 | $21,086 | 66.1% |
| Midland University admits 66% of applicants and shows a six-year completion rate of 42%, while its graduates across all fields earn a median of $58,061 four years after completing. | |||||
| 15 | Doane University · Crete, NE | $58,227 | $26,364 | $21,129 | 98.0% |
| Doane University ranks 15th on this list, with an average net price of $21,129 for families earning under $30,000, and posts a six-year completion rate of 57%. | |||||
| 16 | Hastings College · Hastings, NE | $52,539 | $24,452 | $21,646 | 71.7% |
| Graduates of Hastings College earn a median of $52,539 four years after completing, and the school reports an average net price of $21,646 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 17 | Bryan College of Health Sciences · Lincoln, NE | $77,318 | $26,919 | $23,196 | 67.4% |
| Bryan College of Health Sciences ranks 718th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates across all fields earn a median of $77,318 four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | University of Nebraska Medical Center · Omaha, NE | $85,735 | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center ranks 18th on this list, with median earnings of $85,735 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by their average net price for families earning under $30,000, lowest first, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. Median earnings cited for each institution reflect federally aided completers across all fields who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. The list does not measure earnings or selectivity. The figures cited on this page cover the 17 schools with a reported completion median. Peru State College and Chadron State College are separated by $61 for families earning under $30,000.