Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Nebraska
- 23
- Schools
- $52,928
- Avg. Earnings
- 54%
- Avg. Graduation
- $17,782
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,791
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,729 at the low end to $73,911 at the top. That 1.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Metropolitan Community College Area offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $38,773 against $4,982 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Metropolitan Community College Area, at $4,982 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Creighton University graduates 82% of its students, well above the 54% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Metropolitan Community College Area: graduates owe only 0.21× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Metropolitan Community College Area ($4,982/yr) and Creighton University ($31,568/yr) produce graduates earning $38,773 and $73,911 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $26,586 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Metropolitan Community College Area outperforms Creighton University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Creighton University graduates 82% of its students versus 27% at Metropolitan Community College Area. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Metropolitan Community College Area and Creighton University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $52K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Creighton University #1 overall | $73,911 ▲ +40% vs avg | $31,568 | 82% | 67 |
| 2 Nebraska Wesleyan University #2 overall | $56,405 ▲ +7% vs avg | $18,327 | 67% | 67 |
| 3 Western Nebraska Community College #3 overall | $38,729 ▼ -27% vs avg | $5,474 | 36% | 67 |
| $42,634 ▼ -19% vs avg | $8,544 | 56% | 67 | |
| $61,289 ▲ +16% vs avg | $17,550 | 39% | 65 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Nebraska
This analysis ranks 23 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $52,928 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 54% and an average net price of $17,782.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Metropolitan Community College Area — Net Price: $4,982 | Graduation Rate: 27%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Creighton University — 82% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Creighton University — Median alumni earnings: $73,911
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Nebraska Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Nebraska?
$52,415
Median earnings (10yr)
54%
Median graduation rate
$17,747
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Nebraska serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Start with the medians across these 23 schools. Graduates earn a median of $52,415 ten years after enrollment, or about $4,415 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 54%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $17,747 a year with about $21,875 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 28% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.3%.
For Nebraska, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $17,747 and graduates earning a median of $52,415, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Creighton University lands at #1 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $73,911 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,568 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Nebraska Wesleyan University lands at #2 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $56,405 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,327 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Western Nebraska Community College lands at #3 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $38,729 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,474 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Northeast Community College lands at #4 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,634 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,544 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Bellevue University lands at #5 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $61,289 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,550 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Mid-Plains Community College lands at #6 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $40,059 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,235 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Peru State College lands at #7 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $47,071 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,632 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Wayne State College lands at #8 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $47,075 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,360 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Midland University lands at #9 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $52,163 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,267 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Hastings College lands at #10 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $51,303 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,452 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Chadron State College lands at #11 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $47,002 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,549 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Doane University lands at #12 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $53,316 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,364 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
University of Nebraska at Kearney lands at #13 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (66/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,105 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,242 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
University of Nebraska-Lincoln lands at #14 with a 60/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $56,887 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,747 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
University of Nebraska at Omaha lands at #15 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (69/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $53,909 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,441 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Concordia University-Nebraska lands at #16 with a 57/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $52,415 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,965 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Union Adventist University lands at #17 with a 56/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $55,045 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,716 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
York University lands at #18 with a 55/100 composite, led by social mobility (64/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $44,130 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,951 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Metropolitan Community College Area lands at #19 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $38,773 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,982 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
College of Saint Mary lands at #20 with a 51/100 composite, led by academic quality (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (38/100). Graduates earn a median $54,338 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,590 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Clarkson College lands at #21 with a 50/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (38/100). Graduates earn a median $64,876 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,241 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Omaha, NE · 73% accepted · $21,863 net
Why it ranks #22
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health lands at #22 with a 48/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (29/100). Graduates earn a median $65,071 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,863 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Bryan College of Health Sciences lands at #23 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (26/100). Graduates earn a median $70,845 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,919 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 23 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college is a pivotal decision for students and families, particularly in Nebraska where 24 schools offer diverse options. Whether you're looking for a research university or a community college, understanding what each institution brings to the table is crucial. The average earnings for graduates from these Nebraska colleges sit at $52,532, indicating a solid return on investment for many graduates.
What stands out among the top schools in Nebraska are their graduation rates, earnings potential, and debt levels. For instance, institutions like Creighton University and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln display strong graduation rates and higher earning potential compared to others. In evaluating the schools listed below, consider how each school's outcomes align with your personal goals and financial situation.
Take the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Western Nebraska Community College. While UNL boasts a graduation rate of 66% and average earnings of $56,887, Western Nebraska Community College has a lower graduation rate of 36% and earnings of $38,729. These differences highlight the trade-offs between school size, degree offerings, and student support services, giving you a reason to explore the details further.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 12 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.3%. Mid-Plains Community College leads the group at 1.9%, with Chadron State College (1.9%) and Northeast Community College (1.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.7% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Western Nebraska Community College leads at 15.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 18.6% across this list. Creighton University posts the highest success rate at 53.4%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.55 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Creighton University reaches 1.78, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When looking at the data, the contrast between the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Creighton University is striking. UNO has a graduation rate of 47% and average earnings of $53,909, while Creighton stands out with an 82% graduation rate and higher earnings at $73,911. This suggests that while UNO may have a lower graduation rate, students who do graduate may still find solid job prospects.
As you compare these schools, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing lower debt and cost, like that offered by Northeast Community College, or are you focused on earning potential and graduation rates, such as those at Creighton? Each school presents a unique combination of factors that may align differently with your personal and financial goals.
Ultimately, the data illustrates the varying paths to financial stability after college. A degree can lead to higher earnings, but the decision on which path to take is personal and complex. Whether you opt for a community college or a larger university, consider the long-term implications of your choice, as it will shape not just your career but also your financial future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Nebraska: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Nebraska ranking? +
Creighton University in Omaha, NE ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Nebraska ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $73,911 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 82% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Creighton University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $73,911 ten years after enrollment, well above the $52,928 average across the 23 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Metropolitan Community College Area leads: graduates earn a median $38,773 against net price of about $4,982 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Creighton University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 82%, compared with a 54% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $17,782 a year across the 23 ranked schools with cost data. Metropolitan Community College Area is among the most affordable at roughly $4,982. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Nebraska ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 23 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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