Rankings / By State

Best Master's Programs in Nebraska

By David Krug, Co-Founder, CollegeRanker · Updated 2026-05-31 · 19 schools · Agent Insights

19

Schools Analyzed

$55,640

Avg. Earnings (10yr)

56%

Avg. Graduation Rate

$20,250

Avg. Net Price

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Choosing a master's program can shape not just your career, but your entire life. The schools listed here represent the best options in Nebraska, where each institution has demonstrated strong outcomes for graduates. With average earnings around $55,640, these programs are worth considering for anyone looking to advance their education and career.

What separates the top performers from the rest? Key factors include graduate earnings, completion rates, student debt, and mobility after graduation. The data below highlights how these schools compare in these critical areas, helping you identify which programs align with your goals and values. By focusing on outcomes, we can see which institutions truly prepare their students for success.

Take, for example, Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Creighton leads with an impressive average salary of $73,911 and an 82% graduation rate, while Omaha has a lower earnings figure of $53,909 and a 47% graduation rate. The difference in student outcomes at these schools illustrates the tradeoffs you should consider when evaluating graduate programs.

Quick Numbers

Schools ranked 19

Avg. earnings at 10yr $55,640

Avg. graduation rate 56%

Avg. net price $20,250

Avg. median debt $23,156

How We Ranked

Master's programs in Nebraska ranked by graduate outcomes

Read our full methodology →

Earnings vs. Cost

Each dot is a ranked school. Up = higher earnings. Right = higher cost. Top-left is the best value.

Graduation Rates

Longer bars = higher graduation rate.

Top 3

Creighton University

Omaha, NE

Earnings$73,911

Net Price$31,568

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Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE

Earnings$56,405

Net Price$18,327

View full profile →

Peru State College

Peru, NE

Earnings$47,071

Net Price$11,632

View full profile →

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Full Rankings

Creighton University

Omaha, NE · 4,348 students · Private nonprofit

Creighton University, a private nonprofit institution in Omaha, is home to roughly 4,350 students who benefit from a strong academic community. Known for its 82% graduation rate, Creighton emphasizes personalized education and strong faculty support, helping students navigate their paths to success with confidence.

80% accepted 82% graduate $73,911 earnings

Creighton's full profile

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, NE · 1,453 students · Private nonprofit

Nestled in Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University combines a robust academic curriculum with a focus on developing critical thinking and leadership skills. With 1,453 students, the university fosters a diverse and inclusive environment where students can explore their interests and passions.

80% accepted 67% graduate $56,405 earnings

Nebraska's full profile

Peru State College

Peru, NE · 1,092 students · Public

Peru State College, a public institution in Nebraska, serves a larger student body of 1,092. While the graduation rate is lower at 38%, the potential for personal growth and connection within this community remains valuable. Graduates earn a median income of $47,071 a decade after completing their studies, which can be an important factor for students weighing their options carefully.

38% graduate $47,071 earnings

Peru's full profile

Wayne State College

Wayne, NE · 3,010 students · Public

Wayne State College is a public institution serving a larger student population of 3,010. With a graduation rate of 54%, it might appeal to students who appreciate a supportive campus environment. Graduates earn a median income of $47,075 per year after ten years, providing a practical pathway to success in their chosen fields.

54% graduate $47,075 earnings

Wayne's full profile

Bellevue University

Bellevue, NE · 10,220 students · Private nonprofit

Bellevue University, a private nonprofit institution, accommodates over 10,000 students and is known for its flexible learning options, which cater to adult learners and traditional students alike. With a graduation rate of 39%, it offers a variety of programs designed to suit diverse career paths, making it an attractive choice for those looking to advance their education while juggling other responsibilities.

39% graduate $61,289 earnings

Bellevue's full profile

Chadron State College

Chadron, NE · 1,540 students · Public

Chadron State College, located in the scenic Nebraska Panhandle, serves around 1,540 students and has a close-knit community feel. With a graduation rate of 44%, the college is committed to supporting students through their academic journey, providing them with personalized attention that can enhance their educational experience.

44% graduate $47,002 earnings

Chadron's full profile

Midland University

Fremont, NE · 1,159 students · Private nonprofit

Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska, is a vibrant private nonprofit college with around 1,159 students. Known for its personalized approach to education, Midland has a graduation rate of 43%. This environment encourages student engagement and support, making it a place where individuals can thrive academically and socially.

66% accepted 43% graduate $52,163 earnings

Midland's full profile

Hastings College

Hastings, NE · 891 students · Private nonprofit

With a 72% acceptance rate, Hastings College welcomes a diverse group of students, fostering a tight-knit community. The median earnings for graduates after ten years stand at $51,303, reflecting the value of the education received here and the support students find in their academic pursuits.

72% accepted 51% graduate $51,303 earnings

Hastings's full profile

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, NE · 11,488 students · Public

The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers a unique blend of urban experience and academic opportunity, enrolling about 11,500 students. With a graduation rate of 47%, it’s a place where dedicated students can make significant strides toward their goals, especially in a variety of programs designed for hands-on learning and community engagement.

87% accepted 47% graduate $53,909 earnings

University's full profile

University of Nebraska at Kearney

Kearney, NE · 4,088 students · Public

At the University of Nebraska at Kearney, you'll find a welcoming community of about 4,100 students. The university's graduation rate of 59% reflects a commitment to student success, with a range of programs that encourage both academic achievement and personal development in a close-knit environment.

89% accepted 59% graduate $50,105 earnings

University's full profile

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · 19,178 students · Public

With nearly 19,200 students, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a vibrant campus that emphasizes both academic rigor and community spirit. Graduating 66% of its students, it provides a solid foundation for future success, supported by a diverse range of programs and extracurricular activities that engage students beyond the classroom.

87% accepted 66% graduate $56,887 earnings

University's full profile

Doane University

Crete, NE · 978 students · Private nonprofit

At Doane University, the 56% graduation rate signals a commitment to student success, supported by a larger student population of 978. Graduates enjoy median earnings of $53,316 after ten years, which is encouraging for prospective students considering the long-term value of their degree.

98% accepted 56% graduate $53,316 earnings

Doane's full profile

Concordia University-Nebraska

Seward, NE · 1,283 students · Private nonprofit

Located in Seward, Concordia University-Nebraska is known for its strong liberal arts education and commitment to developing leadership skills. With 1,283 students, this college fosters a sense of belonging and community, allowing students to engage deeply in their academic and extracurricular pursuits.

86% accepted 64% graduate $52,415 earnings

Concordia's full profile

Union Adventist University

Lincoln, NE · 471 students · Private nonprofit

Union Adventist University in Lincoln, Nebraska, has a welcoming atmosphere with a 100% acceptance rate, making it an inviting choice for prospective students. With a median earnings figure of $55,045 after ten years, graduates can find solid financial footing. The smaller campus of 471 students may allow for deeper connections with faculty and peers, enhancing the overall college experience.

100% accepted 49% graduate $55,045 earnings

Union's full profile

York University

York, NE · 428 students · Private nonprofit

York University, with its smaller student body of 428, offers a more intimate learning environment, which can lead to strong connections with faculty and peers. Despite a graduation rate of 44%, the median earnings for graduates after ten years reach $44,130, suggesting that students are finding paths to success in the workforce.

52% accepted 44% graduate $44,130 earnings

York's full profile

College of Saint Mary

Omaha, NE · 445 students · Private nonprofit

With a solid focus on empowering women and fostering a supportive community, College of Saint Mary in Omaha has cultivated a strong identity. The school nurtures a close-knit environment with a small student body of 445, ensuring that each student receives personal attention and guidance from faculty.

45% accepted 60% graduate $54,338 earnings

College's full profile

Clarkson College

Omaha, NE · 622 students · Private nonprofit

With a median earnings figure of $64,876 at ten years after graduation, Clarkson College in Omaha, Nebraska, presents a compelling case for students seeking a strong financial return on their investment. The school maintains a welcoming acceptance rate of 78%, which suggests a commitment to helping more students access higher education. This private nonprofit institution has a relatively small student body of 622, fostering a close-knit community where personalized attention is likely to thrive.

78% accepted 67% graduate $64,876 earnings

Clarkson's full profile

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health

Omaha, NE · 781 students · Private nonprofit

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health specializes in health-related programs, making it an excellent choice for those interested in a career in healthcare. With 781 students, the college emphasizes hands-on learning and clinical experience, which is essential for students in nursing and allied health fields.

73% accepted 63% graduate $65,071 earnings

Nebraska's full profile

Bryan College of Health Sciences

Lincoln, NE · 553 students · Private nonprofit

Nestled in Lincoln, Nebraska, Bryan College of Health Sciences is a focused institution dedicated to health-related fields, serving a smaller cohort of 553 students. With an impressive graduation rate of 73%, students benefit from a supportive environment that prioritizes their academic and professional success in vital healthcare roles.

67% accepted 73% graduate $70,845 earnings

Bryan's full profile

Sources & Citations

[1]

U.S. Department of Education. College Scorecard Data. Federal Student Aid, National Center for Education Statistics. →

[2]

National Center for Education Statistics. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). →

DK

David Krug

Co-Founder, CollegeRanker

David Krug is the co-founder of CollegeRanker and a data systems architect focused on making institutional research accessible to families. He builds the data pipelines and ranking algorithms that power CollegeRanker, drawing from federal datasets and Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights research to measure what traditional rankings ignore: whether a college actually changes a family's economic trajectory.

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