by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Nebraska? This list ranks 19 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — see Customize Your Rankings below for aid-adjusted and by-degree views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 19 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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We analyzed 19 schools in Nebraska to determine which deliver the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). But a school that delivers value must also be a great school overall. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. View our full ranking methodology.
Your ideal school depends on your goals and budget. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Nebraska. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt is $12,799. Median earnings reach $38,773 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,799 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Central Community College one of the best values in Nebraska. This public school is set in Grand Island, NE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt is $10,277. Median earnings reach $39,429 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
You'll get strong value at Western Nebraska Community College, which ranked #3 this year. This public school is set in Scottsbluff, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,729. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #4 on this year's best-value ranking in Nebraska. Based in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,405 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values in Nebraska. Located in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt is $11,937. Median earnings reach $42,634 ten years out. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid Plains Community College placed #6 among the best values in Nebraska. Located in North Platte, NE, Mid Plains Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $4,530. Mid Plains Community College students take on a median of $14,596 in debt. Mid Plains Community College alumni report median earnings of $40,059 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,596 median debt.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. The median program debt is $21,783. University Of Nebraska At Omaha alumni report median earnings of $53,909 a decade after entry. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 87% of those who apply are admitted.
Chadron State College placed #8 among the best values in Nebraska. Set in Chadron, NE, Chadron State College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,002. Set against $22,912 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peru State College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Peru State College is a public school based in Peru, NE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,433. Typical student debt is $26,254. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Curtis, NE, Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,926. Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture students take on a median of $12,127 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Little Priest Tribal College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Winnebago, NE, Little Priest Tribal College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,400.
College Of Saint Mary ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. College Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Omaha, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $24,510. Graduates carry a median of $25,539 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,338 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Wayne State College placed #13 among the best values in Nebraska. Wayne State College is a public school based in Wayne, NE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Students borrow a median of $22,974 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,075. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clarkson College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Located in Omaha, NE, Clarkson College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,104 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,052 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,876. Set against $30,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #15 among the best values in Nebraska. Set in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete their program here. University Of Nebraska At Kearney alumni report median earnings of $50,105 a decade after entry. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Xenon International Academy Omaha placed #17 among the best values in Nebraska. Set in Omaha, NE, Xenon International Academy Omaha is a private for-profit institution. Typical student debt is $12,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $28,953. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Josephs College Cosmetology landed the #18 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Set in Lincoln, NE, Josephs College Cosmetology is a private for-profit institution. Typical student debt is $12,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $23,032 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics landed the #19 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Based in Omaha, NE, Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $9,166 in student loans. Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics alumni report median earnings of $31,349 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,166 median debt.
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Omaha, NE, Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,934 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt is $31,121. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,071. Set against $31,121 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 73% of those who apply are admitted.
College Of Hair Design Downtown offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. College Of Hair Design Downtown is a private for-profit school based in Lincoln, NE. Students borrow a median of $14,119 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $28,376 ten years after entry. Set against $14,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Hair Design East Campus ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Lincoln, NE, College Of Hair Design East Campus is a private for-profit institution. Graduates carry a median of $14,119 in student loans. College Of Hair Design East Campus alumni report median earnings of $28,376 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York College Nebraska placed #23 among the best values in Nebraska. Based in York, NE, York College Nebraska is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,000 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $28,370 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,130 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Union College Nebraska came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Located in Lincoln, NE, Union College Nebraska is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,334 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,938 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 100% of those who apply are admitted.
Hastings College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Hastings, NE, Hastings College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,770. Hastings College students take on a median of $24,125 in debt. Hastings College alumni report median earnings of $51,303 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 19 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
