2026 Best Value Education Schools in Nebraska

1

Northeast Community College
Norfolk, NE

Northeast Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in Nebraska. Located in the town of Norfolk, Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Students borrow a median of $11,799 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $24,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Southeast Community College Area
Lincoln, NE

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,935 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,877. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt.

3

Western Nebraska Community College
Scottsbluff, NE

Western Nebraska Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

Students looking for strong value in education will find it at University Of Nebraska At Omaha, which ranked #4. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $23,290 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $47,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.

5

Chadron State College
Chadron, NE

A rank of #5 makes Chadron State College one of the best values for education. Located in the town of Chadron, Chadron State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Typical student debt for education graduates is $24,561. Early-career education graduates make about $47,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Peru State College
Peru, NE

Peru State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Peru State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Peru. In-state tuition and fees average $8,433. Students borrow a median of $26,117 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $37,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Clarkson College
Omaha, NE

Clarkson College placed #7 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Omaha, Clarkson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,104. Students borrow a median of $30,052 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Clarkson College earn a median of $77,377 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clarkson College admits about 78% of applicants.

8

Wayne State College
Wayne, NE

Wayne State College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Set in the town of Wayne, Wayne State College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,171. Typical student debt for education graduates is $25,185. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Wayne State College generally make around $45,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

University Of Nebraska At Kearney
Kearney, NE

University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #9 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Kearney, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,564, compared with $16,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,938 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Nebraska At Kearney earn a median of $50,371 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,938 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, NE

University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,434, compared with $28,584 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,673 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $47,649. Set against $23,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.

11

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health
Omaha, NE

Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Omaha. In-state tuition and fees average $18,934. Education graduates carry a median of $31,121 in student loans. Education graduates of Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn a median of $64,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

12

York College Nebraska
York, NE

York College Nebraska came in at #12 for value in education this year. York College Nebraska is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Education graduates carry a median of $28,370 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from York College Nebraska generally make around $34,170. That is a strong return on a $28,370 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.

13

Hastings College
Hastings, NE

Hastings College placed #13 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Hastings, Hastings College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,770. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Hastings College generally make around $40,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

14

Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,572. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Education graduates of Nebraska Wesleyan University earn a median of $42,988 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

15

Concordia University Seward
Seward, NE

Concordia University Seward placed #15 among the best values for education. Located in the town of Seward, Concordia University Seward is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,640. Education graduates carry a median of $24,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Concordia University Seward generally make around $52,130. Set against $24,068 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concordia University Seward admits about 86% of applicants.

16

Midland University
Fremont, NE

Midland University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the town of Fremont, Midland University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,050. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Midland University generally make around $53,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

17

Doane College Crete
Crete, NE

Doane College Crete ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the town of Crete, Doane College Crete is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $41,985. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Doane College Crete generally make around $62,196. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.

18

Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE

Bellevue University placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the suburb of Bellevue, Bellevue University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,873. Students borrow a median of $26,556 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $68,730. Set against $26,556 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Creighton University
Omaha, NE

Creighton University came in at #19 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Omaha, Creighton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,856. Education graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $76,914. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Creighton University admits about 80% of applicants.