2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Nebraska

[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for general studies students.
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2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in Nebraska
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Southeast Community College Area tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in Nebraska. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. General Studies graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $31,041 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Community College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $30,292. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Omaha earned it the #3 place for general studies. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,310 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $40,892. Set against $26,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
College Of Saint Mary is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Omaha, College Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,539. General Studies graduates of College Of Saint Mary earn a median of $66,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Mary admits about 45% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Nebraska At Kearney earned it the #5 place for general studies. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,675 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $29,471. Set against $20,675 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Nebraska Indian Community College placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Macy, Nebraska Indian Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $4,080 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,458.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.