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The Best Public Colleges in Nebraska

Here are the top public colleges that in Nebraska. The school list below shows tuition after financial aid, and with the benefit of in-state tuition. Smaller schools are excluded from our list.

  1. Chadron State College

    Chadron State College is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Chadron, NE. It has an enrollment of 1,642 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is unreported. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $15,260. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Plant Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,967
    • Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $56,415
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $69,338
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $58,673
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,699
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,844
    • Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,141
    • Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $73,949
    • Human Resources Management and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $42,235

    Chadron State College School Spirit

    Chadron State College has a strong tradition of school spirit. Students, staff, and alumni take pride in their school and are very passionate about their school’s athletic programs. The Chadron State College Eagles participate in Division II of the NCAA and compete in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The school also boasts a variety of clubs and organizations that foster school spirit, such as the Eagle Boosters, which supports all Chadron State athletics. Overall, you can expect to find a tight-knit community that rallies behind their school.

    Learn more about Chadron State College

  2. Peru State College

    Peru State College is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Peru, NE. It has an enrollment of 1,415 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is unreported. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $15,652. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $49,612
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,041
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,739
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,207
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $64,493

    Peru State College School Spirit

    Peru State College, located in Peru, Nebraska, has a strong school spirit. The college has a student-led pep club, known as the Bobcat Boosters, which promotes and supports school athletics, as well as other school-related events and activities. Peru State College offers various collegiate sports teams, including football, basketball, and volleyball, which are well-supported by the student body. Additionally, the college hosts several events and traditions throughout the year that bring students, alumni, and community members together, such as the Homecoming parade, pep rallies, and tailgate parties. Overall, Peru State College has a lively and engaged student body that takes pride in their school.

    Learn more about Peru State College

  3. University of Nebraska at Kearney

    University of Nebraska at Kearney is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Kearney, NE. It has an enrollment of 4,289 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 90.32%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $16,611. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1097.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 22.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,829
    • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,019
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,358
    • Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $45,500
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $58,479
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,729
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $52,607
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $43,798
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $50,606
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,149
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $49,464
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,209
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $48,302
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
    • Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,947
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,933
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,960
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,581
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Biology, General. (Master’s Degree) – $48,432
    • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,701
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,602
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,365
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,575
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,298
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $48,432
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $50,606
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,641
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,618
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $50,439
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,704
    • History. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260

    University of Nebraska at Kearney School Spirit

    The University of Nebraska at Kearney has a strong school spirit and a vibrant campus life. The UNK Lopers, the university’s athletic teams, compete in the NCAA Division II and are cheered on by dedicated fans at home games. The university also hosts various student organizations and events such as Homecoming, Greek Week, and performances by visiting artists. Additionally, the campus community is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which adds to the overall school spirit.

    Learn more about University of Nebraska at Kearney

  4. University of Nebraska at Omaha

    University of Nebraska at Omaha is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Omaha, NE. It has an enrollment of 12,010 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 87.25%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $13,452. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1100.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 22.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,123
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,153
    • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,259
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) – $57,860
    • Information Science/Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $53,358
    • Information Science/Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $89,859
    • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,778
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $57,318
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Doctoral Degree) – $84,653
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $48,198
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $38,721
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,208
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $44,444
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $51,482
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,888
    • Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,635
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,997
    • Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,213
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,141
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,824
    • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $30,771
    • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,398
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,206
    • Biotechnology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
    • Neurobiology and Neurosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
    • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,971
    • Mathematics. (Master’s Degree) – $65,053
    • Gerontology. (Master’s Degree) – $42,123
    • International/Global Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,792
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Master’s Degree) – $38,289
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,556
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,100
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
    • Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $56,415
    • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,391
    • Social Work. (Master’s Degree) – $44,765
    • Economics. (Master’s Degree) – $76,460
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
    • Political Science and Government. (Master’s Degree) – $45,852
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Air Transportation. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,673
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,356
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,598
    • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $39,009
    • Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,322
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $87,068
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $58,221
    • Construction Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $58,943
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569

    University of Nebraska at Omaha School Spirit

    The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has a strong school spirit, with students and alumni actively engaging in a variety of campus events and activities. UNO’s athletic teams, known as the Mavericks, are especially popular among students, with hockey and basketball games drawing large crowds. The university also hosts a number of traditional fall and spring events, such as homecoming and pep rallies, which foster a sense of community and pride among students. In addition, UNO offers a wide variety of student organizations and clubs that cater to a range of interests, from academic and professional groups to recreational and social clubs. Overall, UNO has a lively campus culture that encourages students to get involved and embrace their Maverick spirit.

    Learn more about University of Nebraska at Omaha

  5. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Lincoln, NE. It has an enrollment of 19,448 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 81.07%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $16,764. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 16 to 1.

    The average SAT score was 1219.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 25.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Agriculture, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $49,644
    • Agriculture, General. (Master’s Degree) – $50,856
    • Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,087
    • Agricultural Mechanization. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,286
    • Agricultural Production Operations. (Associate’s Degree) – $16,345
    • Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
    • Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
    • Food Science and Technology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,682
    • Plant Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,666
    • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,990
    • Architecture. (First Professional Degree) – $49,214
    • Interior Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,768
    • Landscape Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,273
    • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,381
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
    • Communication and Media Studies. (Doctoral Degree) – $53,358
    • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,010
    • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,532
    • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,918
    • Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $46,254
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $43,984
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Doctoral Degree) – $78,134
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,198
    • Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $46,790
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,512
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,477
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $50,084
    • Education, Other. (Doctoral Degree) – $72,325
    • Engineering, General. (Master’s Degree) – $106,421
    • Agricultural Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,324
    • Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $66,821
    • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $57,564
    • Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $71,015
    • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $70,680
    • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $66,168
    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,864
    • Construction Engineering Technologies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,523
    • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,497
    • Family and Consumer Economics and Related Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,772
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,042
    • Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $49,631
    • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $44,276
    • Apparel and Textiles. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,420
    • Law. (First Professional Degree) – $55,512
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,203
    • English Language and Literature, General. (Doctoral Degree) – $39,909
    • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
    • Zoology/Animal Biology. (Master’s Degree) – $49,058
    • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,768
    • Mathematics. (Doctoral Degree) – $57,318
    • International/Global Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,822
    • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,385
    • Psychology, General. (Doctoral Degree) – $57,318
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Doctoral Degree) – $58,402
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Security Science and Technology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
    • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,374
    • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569
    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,947
    • Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,974
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,280
    • Fine and Studio Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $24,035
    • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,679
    • Music. (Master’s Degree) – $32,569
    • Music. (Doctoral Degree) – $33,993
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $48,600
    • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Doctoral Degree) – $70,176
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $43,732
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $91,017
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $42,073
    • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $58,549
    • Business/Managerial Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,369
    • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,924
    • Hospitality Administration/Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
    • International Business. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
    • Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,493
    • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,016
    • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,650

    University of Nebraska-Lincoln School Spirit

    The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a very strong school spirit and a highly engaged student community. UNL is known for its passionate and dedicated fans who show their support for the Huskers at sporting events, especially football. The university has a number of student organizations, clubs, and programs that allow students to get involved and build meaningful connections with their peers. UNL also offers a wide range of events and activities that promote school spirit and encourage students to participate in various campus traditions. Overall, students at UNL are deeply committed to their school and take great pride in being part of the Husker community.

    Learn more about University of Nebraska-Lincoln

  6. Wayne State College

    Wayne State College is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Wayne, NE. It has an enrollment of 3,048 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is unreported. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $14,469. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 20 to 1.

    The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

    Recent Graduate Salaries

    (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

    • Information Science/Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,439
    • Curriculum and Instruction. (Master’s Degree) – $48,522
    • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $55,286
    • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $44,091
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,187
    • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,108
    • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,284
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,658
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,503
    • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $50,558

    Wayne State College School Spirit

    Wayne State College is known for having a strong sense of school spirit. The campus has a tight-knit community where students are actively involved in a variety of clubs and organizations. The university hosts a number of events throughout the year that promote school spirit, including homecoming week, pep rallies, and athletic events. Wayne State College has a strong athletic program with several NCAA Division II teams, including football, basketball, volleyball, and track and field. The university also has a marching band, cheerleading squad, and dance team which perform at various events and rallies. Overall, school spirit at Wayne State College is a defining characteristic of the university’s community and culture.

    Learn more about Wayne State College