by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their nursing graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose nursing graduates go on to earn the most.
Bellevue University earned the #1 spot for highest-paid nursing graduates in Nebraska. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Bellevue University make a median of around $86,630 per year.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Southeast Community College Area is a public school located in the city of Lincoln. Nursing graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of about $75,263 a year early in their careers.
Metropolitan Community College Area produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Metropolitan Community College Area is a public school located in the city of Omaha. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,852.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Nebraska Wesleyan University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Lincoln, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $83,400.
Creighton University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,280.
Union College Nebraska ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Union College Nebraska is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,732.
Clarkson College came in at #7 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,655.
Western Nebraska Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,378.
College Of Saint Mary earned the #9 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of about $72,519 a year early in their careers.
Midland University landed the #10 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Midland University make a median of around $69,660 per year.
Bryan College Of Health Sciences came in at #11 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Bryan College Of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Bryan College Of Health Sciences typically earn about $71,673 annually.
University Of Nebraska Medical Center ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska Medical Center is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,287.
Central Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing salaries this year. Central Community College is a public school located in the city of Grand Island. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Central Community College typically earn about $66,774 annually.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health came in at #14 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Omaha, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of about $71,952 a year early in their careers.
Northeast Community College placed #15 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $66,603.
Mid Plains Community College landed the #16 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of about $67,230 a year early in their careers.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 16 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
