Nebraska punches well above its weight in higher education. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln — an AAU member with the #1 agronomy program in the US — leads alongside Creighton University’s exceptional pharmacy and law programs in Omaha, Nebraska Wesleyan’s distinguished United Methodist liberal arts tradition in Lincoln, and the University of Nebraska Omaha’s NSA-designated cybersecurity center. Together, Nebraska’s universities serve a state economy built on agriculture, insurance, and a rapidly growing technology sector.
Best Universities in Nebraska 2026
Wayne State College
Location: Wayne | Type: Public | Founded: 1910 | Tuition: $6,960/yr
Wayne State College is a public liberal arts college founded in 1910 in Wayne, Nebraska. Enrolling 3,500 students, Wayne State serves rural Northeast Nebraska with education, business, healthcare, and athletic training programs at one of the most affordable tuition rates in Nebraska.nnSchoolsSchool of Business and…
Programs: Business & Finance, Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts
University of Nebraska Omaha
Location: Omaha | Type: Public | Founded: 1908 | Tuition: $8,280/yr
The University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) is a public research university founded in 1908 in Omaha. Enrolling 16,000 students, UNO is known for cybersecurity (National Strategic Research Institute), information science, business, education, and aviation programs serving Nebraska’s largest city and economic hub.nnCollegesCollege of Information Science…
Programs: Aviation, Business & Finance, Education, Engineering
University of Nebraska Kearney
Location: Kearney | Type: Public | Founded: 1905 | Tuition: $6,980/yr
The University of Nebraska Kearney (UNK) is a public university founded in 1905 in Kearney, Nebraska, on the Platte River. Enrolling 7,000 students, UNK is known for education, business, nursing, and communication programs serving Central Nebraska’s communities.nnCollegesCollege of Business and Technology — AACSB-accredited; Central Nebraska…
Programs: Business & Finance, Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Location: Lincoln | Type: Private | Founded: 1887 | Tuition: $34,400/yr
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private United Methodist liberal arts university founded in 1887 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Enrolling 2,100 students, NWU is known for nursing, business, education, and pre-health sciences programs with a strong liberal arts tradition.nnProgramsSchool of Nursing — CCNE-accredited nursing programsSchool of Business…
Programs: Business & Finance, Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Location: Lincoln | Type: Public | Founded: 1869 | Tuition: $10,378/yr
University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is a public AAU research university founded in 1869, Nebraska’s flagship. Enrolling 25,000 students, UNL is known for agronomy (#1 nationally), engineering, business (AACSB-accredited College of Business), law, and food science programs.nnCollegesCollege of Business — AACSB-accredited; top agribusiness and finance programsCollege…
Programs: Agriculture & Environment, Business & Finance, Engineering, Law
Creighton University
Location: Omaha | Type: Private | Founded: 1878 | Tuition: $41,604/yr
Creighton University is a private Jesuit Catholic research university founded in 1878 in Omaha. Enrolling 9,000 students, Creighton is known for pharmacy, law, medicine, business (Heider College of Business — AACSB), and nursing programs. Creighton is one of the premier health sciences universities in the…
Programs: Business & Finance, Engineering, Law, Liberal Arts
Top Community Colleges in Nebraska 2026
Community colleges in Nebraska provide affordable pathways with transfer agreements to major state universities.
- Southeast Community College Nebraska — Lincoln
- Metropolitan Community College Nebraska — Omaha
How to Choose a University in Nebraska
Consider your major, tuition, accreditations, location, and career outcomes. Compare financial aid packages and visit campuses.
- Tuition: Compare in-state vs out-of-state rates and financial aid generosity.
- Accreditation: AACSB (business), ABET (engineering), CCNE (nursing).
- Location: Proximity to employers and internship opportunities.
- Campus Culture: Visit open days to find the right environment.
Nebraska’s universities are deeply tied to the state’s agricultural and corporate sectors — Union Pacific, Berkshire Hathaway, and TD Ameritrade all call Omaha home. The Cornhusker State’s universities consistently produce some of the most loyal, community-minded graduates in the Midwest, with strong career outcomes across every field.
Browse our complete Nebraska university directory.
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