Our Research
This list features some of the best online schools in Nebraska. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. We included liberal arts colleges and research universities as well as small, midsize, and large institutions. Next, we compared this comprehensive list to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The majority of programs on this list are approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a regional accreditor that evaluates, develops, and improves postsecondary institutions in the central United States. HLC is committed to peer review and analyzes schools based on academic objectives, ethical compliance, teaching quality, and overall effectiveness.
We evaluated each school on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for online students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Online College Programs That Might Interest You
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The Top 50 Online Colleges in Nebraska
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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Colleges in Nebraska
Does Nebraska have good online colleges and universities?
Yes. The state offers a wealth of online educational opportunities, such as University of Nebraska – Omaha’s Online Bachelor’s in Management Information Systems. After you graduate, you may want to consider staying in Nebraska to complete a master’s degree, as the state is also rich in graduate school options like Nebraska Methodist College’s Online Master’s in Nursing Education.
That said, there are many excellent online college programs available in other states as well. If you’re open to attending a school that’s located in another state, check out our guide to the best accredited online colleges. In addition to showing you the top 30 options in the entire United States for remote learning, this guide offers expert advice on how to choose a college and complete the application process.
Do online college credits in Nebraska cost more than in-person classes?
The answer to this question depends on which college you attend. Some schools offer discounted rates for online courses, whereas others charge an additional fee for online courses to help cover the cost of software licenses, technical support, etc.
Why should you choose Nebraska for online higher education?
From affordable community colleges to private religious institutions to top public research universities, Nebraska offers something for every online college student. One option that stands out as a particularly appealing choice is University of Nebraska – Lincoln, which offers highly ranked online master’s degree programs for business, education, and engineering.
The Cost of Online College in Nebraska
How much does an online degree in Nebraska cost?
The cost of an online degree in Nebraska depends on which institution you attend as well as the type of degree that you decide to pursue. For example, private schools are typically more expensive than public schools, and undergraduate degrees are usually more affordable than graduate degrees. Also, you’ll probably find yourself paying more for your degree if you major in a STEM field rather than the humanities.
Regardless of the cost per credit, consider that you may be able to save money on indirect expenses, such as transportation and housing, by earning your college degree online. Also, Nebraska is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). This means that out-of-state students who live in a SARA-participating state can take online courses from Nebraska schools without incurring additional fees.
To give you a sense of exactly how much you should expect to pay for your online education, we’ve listed the current rates for earning an online bachelor’s degree in Nebraska below. Note that, at the time of this writing, there is only one school in Nebraska that offers online bachelor’s degrees.
Most affordable online college in Nebraska: University of Nebraska – Omaha, $495 per credit
Source: Education Data Initiative
How long do you have to live in Nebraska to get in-state tuition rates?
Typically, you will be eligible for in-state tuition rates after you have lived in Nebraska for one year. Some groups, such as military veterans, tribal members, and individuals (and their dependents) who reside outside of Nebraska but pay Nebraska income tax, are entitled to in-state tuition rates without meeting this one-year requirement.
Who qualifies for reduced tuition costs in Nebraska?
In 2020, the state of Nebraska established the Nebraska Promise, which fully funds undergraduate tuition at the state’s public schools: the University of Nebraska’s four campuses and its two-year technical college.
Tuition is covered for Nebraska residents who meet academic qualifications (2.5 GPA) and have an adjusted gross family income of $65,000 or less or are Pell Grant-eligible. Students must also complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually.
Online learners who meet the requirements listed above are eligible for the Nebraska Promise but remain responsible for any distance education fees.
College Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grant Programs in Nebraska
In addition to the Nebraska Promise, there are many other programs available that can help you cover the cost of college. Some of these programs are based on financial need, whereas others are awarded based on factors such as demographics or academic merit. We’ve reviewed a few of the most prominent scholarship options for you below:
Horatio Alger State Scholarship
This scholarship program, named after American author Horatio Alger, is offered to students who exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Recipients may begin their studies at a two-year institution and later transfer to a four-year institution.
Who’s eligible? High school juniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA, financial need, and Nebraska residency.
Contact information: [email protected] | 844-422-4200
Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation Scholarship
This competitive scholarship program for Nebraska college students is named after the American activist and first wife of investor Warren Buffett. Scholarships are awarded to first-time freshmen entering college who live in Nebraska, graduate from a Nebraska high school (or GED program), plan to attend a Nebraska public college, and demonstrate financial need.
Who’s eligible? Nebraska high school seniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA and an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) below $10,000. You do not need to be Pell Grant-eligible to qualify.
Contact information: [email protected] | 402-943-1383
D.J.'s Hero Scholarship Awards
These scholarships for Nebraska high school seniors are named in memory of D.J. Sokol, who died of Hodgkin’s disease in June 1999 at the age of 18. They are provided by the Sokol family and the Salvation Army. Recipients must exemplify perseverance and selflessness in facing unusual challenges and be leaders in their communities.
Who’s eligible? Seniors from Nebraska high schools planning to attend college in the U.S. Recipients must agree to work with a mentor during their college experience and participate in ongoing research about the impact of the scholarship.
Contact information: [email protected] | 402-898-7669
Smith Diversity Scholarship
Lutheran Family Services established the Coyner and Donna Smith Diversity Scholarship Fund to help provide college funding for graduating Nebraska high school seniors from low-income, minority families. Awards are renewable for four years and can be used at any college, as well as trade or vocational schools.
Who’s eligible? Recipients must have an adjusted, annual gross family income of $65,000 or lower. Preference is given to applicants who do not identify as Caucasian and come from disadvantaged ethnic backgrounds. There is no minimum GPA requirement.
Contact information: [email protected] | 402-681-7024
Top 5 Fast-Growing Industries in Nebraska
If you still don’t know where you will attend college, it’s quite possible you also don’t yet know what you will major in. In that case, one of the most important factors that you should consider is which industries are growing the fastest in Nebraska — this will make it easier to find a job, and the higher demand should help you earn a higher salary.
By consulting the U.S. Department of Labor’s Long-Term Employment Projections (2020–2030), we’ve determined that the following five careers have some of the highest projected growth rates in Nebraska:
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) support occupational therapists in their patient care, helping people regain the ability to carry out their daily activities. OTAs typically have at least an associate degree and earn an average yearly salary of $59,160 in Nebraska.
- Growth: 42.9%
- Degree options: Associate in Occupational Therapy Assistance
Nurse Practitioners
NPs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in diagnosing and treating patients with an emphasis on preventative care and health education. They are quickly becoming many Americans’ preferred primary care professionals. NPs tend to be well-compensated; in Nebraska, they earn an average salary of $118,970.
- Growth: 39.6%
- Degree options: Master’s in Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Science
Information Security Analysts
Information security analysts monitor and manage an organization’s computer networks and systems. Specifically, information security analysts keep an organization’s data safe. As cybersecurity and information security become increasingly important in our digital world, security analysts are in high demand. They are also well-compensated, making an average annual salary of $95,590 in Nebraska.
- Growth: 34.7%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity, Bachelor’s in Computer Science, Bachelor’s in Engineering, Bachelor’s in Mathematics, Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering, Master’s in Cybersecurity, Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Engineering, Master’s in Mathematics, Master’s in Computer Engineering
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Market research analysts and marketing specialists use data to understand consumer preferences and tailor a company’s marketing campaigns to what will bring the greatest return on investment. In Nebraska, market research analysts and marketing specialists make an average salary of $61,390.
- Growth: 23.2%
- Degree options: Bachelor’s in Marketing, Bachelor’s in Communications, Bachelor’s in Market Research, Bachelor’s in Statistics, Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Home Health and Personal Care Aides
As Nebraska’s population ages, the state is in increasing need of personal care aides to assist patients, often older adults or disabled people, with tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing. In Nebraska, personal care aides make an average annual salary of $30,070.
- Growth: 21.7%
- Degree options: Certificate in Personal Care Aide, Associate in Medical Assisting