# Best Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 19 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-nebraska

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Nebraska ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Choosing a bachelor's program in Nebraska involves more than just picking a school; it's about finding the right fit for your future. With 19 institutions offering diverse programs, students are looking for pathways that lead to solid career outcomes and manageable debt. On average, graduates from these programs earn about $55,640 annually, which gives us a starting point to understand what's at stake.  

The most successful schools on this list distinguish themselves through their focus on outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, and debt levels. For example, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln leads with an impressive $56,887 average earnings and a graduation rate of 66%. This combination of factors is essential for informed decision-making, as it reflects how well institutions prepare their students for the job market.  

When we compare two top schools, Creighton University stands out with an average earnings figure of $73,911 and an 82% graduation rate. In contrast, the University of Nebraska at Omaha shows average earnings at $53,909, with a lower graduation rate of 47%. This difference highlights the importance of both financial outcomes and completion rates as you explore your options.

## Key Findings

- Creighton University graduates earn an average of $73,911, the highest among Nebraska schools.
- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a 66% graduation rate, significantly higher than the average of 56%.
- Students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha face a net price of $13,441, the lowest in this list.
- Graduates from the College of Saint Mary have an average debt of $24,250, which is on the higher side compared to others.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Creighton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/creighton-university) | Omaha, NE | 82% | $73,911 | $31,568 | $25,000 | 0.34x |
| 2 | [Nebraska Wesleyan University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nebraska-wesleyan-university) | Lincoln, NE | 67% | $56,405 | $18,327 | $26,970 | 0.48x |
| 3 | [Peru State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/peru-state-college) | Peru, NE | 38% | $47,071 | $11,632 | $21,875 | 0.46x |
| 4 | [Wayne State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wayne-state-college) | Wayne, NE | 54% | $47,075 | $15,360 | $19,000 | 0.4x |
| 5 | [Bellevue University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellevue-university) | Bellevue, NE | 39% | $61,289 | $17,550 | $20,000 | 0.33x |
| 6 | [Chadron State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/chadron-state-college) | Chadron, NE | 44% | $47,002 | $12,549 | $18,875 | 0.4x |
| 7 | [Midland University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/midland-university) | Fremont, NE | 43% | $52,163 | $26,267 | $26,134 | 0.5x |
| 8 | [Hastings College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hastings-college) | Hastings, NE | 51% | $51,303 | $24,452 | $27,000 | 0.53x |
| 9 | [University of Nebraska at Omaha](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-nebraska-at-omaha) | Omaha, NE | 47% | $53,909 | $13,441 | $19,000 | 0.35x |
| 10 | [University of Nebraska at Kearney](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-nebraska-at-kearney) | Kearney, NE | 59% | $50,105 | $16,242 | $19,500 | 0.39x |
| 11 | [University of Nebraska-Lincoln](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-nebraska-lincoln) | Lincoln, NE | 66% | $56,887 | $17,747 | $21,000 | 0.37x |
| 12 | [Doane University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/doane-university) | Crete, NE | 56% | $53,316 | $26,364 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 13 | [Concordia University-Nebraska](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/concordia-university-nebraska) | Seward, NE | 64% | $52,415 | $23,965 | $25,750 | 0.49x |
| 14 | [Union Adventist University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/union-adventist-university) | Lincoln, NE | 49% | $55,045 | $23,716 | $27,000 | 0.49x |
| 15 | [York University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/york-university) | York, NE | 44% | $44,130 | $20,951 | $21,500 | 0.49x |
| 16 | [College of Saint Mary](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-saint-mary) | Omaha, NE | 60% | $54,338 | $16,590 | $24,250 | 0.45x |
| 17 | [Clarkson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clarkson-college) | Omaha, NE | 67% | $64,876 | $19,241 | $23,716 | 0.37x |
| 18 | [Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nebraska-methodist-college-of-nursing-allied-health) | Omaha, NE | 63% | $65,071 | $21,863 | $23,417 | 0.36x |
| 19 | [Bryan College of Health Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bryan-college-of-health-sciences) | Lincoln, NE | 73% | $70,845 | $26,919 | $24,985 | 0.35x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-nebraska

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.