Colleges in Nebraska
Why go to College in Nebraska?
Nebraska is a great place to attend college due to its wide range of schools that offer programs for students with just about any budget or schedule. There are several online colleges in Nebraska that allow students to earn a degree and pursue their long-term career goals while also working full-time. Below are a some highlights of why Nebraska is an ideal state for college students.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Nebraska?
On-Campus
There are a wide range of schools and program options in Nebraska that provide a traditional on-campus learning environment for students, including both two- and four-year programs. On-campus students live on or near their school's campus and attend classes in person. This allows students to interact with professors and their fellow students in a face-to-face environment and to become involved in student life activities and events. On-campus programs are ideal for students who prefer a more structured schedule and want to experience the conventional college experience. In Nebraska, most public colleges are located in close proximity to large urban centers like Kearney, Lincoln, and Omaha. There are also several private institutions, such as Clarkson College, the College of St. Mary, and Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Online Programs
There are many online schools in Nebraska that allow students to receive a high-quality education while attending classes and completing assignments on their own schedules. Most of these programs deliver courses asynchronously online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. This is ideal for those who have children, work full-time, or have other obligations to balance with their studies. Online students interact with professors and classmates through a learning management system, communicating through email, instant messages, discussion boards. Many programs also use video conferencing tools like Google Hangouts, JoinMe, or Skype to access course content.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs include some combination of distance learning and on-campus study. This can be an ideal situation for those who want to interact with instructors and other students face-to-face but also need the flexibility that comes with online learning. The in-person components associated with hybrid classes typically take place on weekends, which is useful for those who work or have other obligations during the week. In Nebraska, you can find a wide range of associate, bachelor's, and master's programs that are offered in a hybrid format.
Popular Degree Programs in Nebraska
As a largely rural state, it should be no surprise that Nebraska has a dominant agricultural sector. Its urban centers have also become increasingly well known for their strengths in the areas of business, finance, and insurance. As a result, many students tend to pursue majors related to these fields so that they can easily find a job after graduation.Below are a few examples of some of the most popular college majors in the state .
Agricultural Economics This field is a branch of applied economics that looks at the agriculture industry using both micro- and macro-economic principles. These programs examine topics such as food crises, environmental issues, global trade, and price fluctuations.
Business Management and Administration This major prepares students for a wide range of careers in the business world, including those related to small business, finance, management, marketing, and human resources. Students can also specialize their studies with a concentration in a particular type of business.
What are the Best Online Colleges in Nebraska?
Below, you will find a ranking of the top online colleges in Nebraska. In developing these rankings, we used a formula that calculates the best value in terms of program quality, tuition affordability, technology costs, and a wide range of other factors. All schools included in this section are regionally or nationally accredited and offer programs either fully online or in a hybrid format.
Top 10 Colleges in Nebraska for 2019
Admissions Rate
34%
Graduation Rate
73%
Online Enrollment
31%
Retention Rate
81%
Default Rate
3%
Nebraska Methodist College's undergraduate and graduate programs are designed for working healthcare and nursing professionals. Online programs include RN to BSN, RN to MSN, educator; nurse educator, certificate; RN to MSN, informatics; and nursing informatics, certificate. Coursework is delivered asynchronously through MyMethodist. Classes last five weeks, and students take one at a time. Some courses include group work, which requires students to communicate online with peers.
Undergraduate applicants should submit high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Students applying to a graduate program should submit undergraduate transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and proof of licensure. GRE scores are generally not required. Tuition varies by program, but in-state and out-of-state residents pay the same amount. The college is located in Omaha. Online students are eligible for financial aid.
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What are the Best Online Community Colleges in Nebraska?
Community colleges are the perfect stepping stone between high schools and universities. They are typically called commuter schools, which means that students do not have the option of living on-campus. These schools are ideal for adult learners who want to work full-time while earning their degree. Community colleges typically offer only associate degrees and certificates. However, it is common for students to enroll in community college for one or two years and then transfer their credit into a bachelor's program at a four-year institution. Below, you will find some of the best online colleges in the state of Nebraska.
Top 5 Online Community Colleges in Nebraska for 2019
Graduation Rate
48%
Online Enrollment
16%
Retention Rate
75%
Default Rate
14%
Based in Norfolk, Northeast Community College serves students in 20 Nebraska counties. Northeast is the result of a merger between Northeastern Nebraska College and Northeast Nebraska Technical College, making it one of the most unique online community colleges in Nebraska.
Northeast is the only community college in the state with one-year and two-year vocational, adult education, and liberal arts programs. Students can take many general education and program courses online, and the college offers 19 fully online programs. To provide as many online programs as possible, Northeast maintains partnerships with nearby community colleges. Through these partnerships, online students can study early childhood education, culinary arts, and library information services.
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How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Nebraska
Despite allocating a slightly lower percentage of tax revenue towards higher education than the national average, Nebraska actually spends much more per student on higher education than many other states. The state also has a higher than average proportion of adults with an associate or bachelor's degree, although it lags behind the national average for citizens with a graduate degree.
| Nebraska | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $8,202 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 5.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 9.9% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 19.6% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 9.1% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Nebraska
When searching through prospective online colleges in Nebraska, one of the main factors that you should consider is cost. First, you should check a school's tuition rate; this cost can vary greatly from school to school and is typically the most expensive part of attending college. However, you'll also want to factor in other necessary expenses like room and board, child care costs, textbooks, transportation, and more.
Tuition Prices
Nearly all online schools in Nebraska, whether they are two- or four-year institutions, offer tuition rates that are below the national average. Remember that these numbers reflect only the cost of tuition and do not include other expenses like books, technology, transportation, and cost of living.
Financial Aid
All students use some type of financial aid to help them finance their college education. The first step is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see which types of financial aid you are eligible to receive from the federal government. There are many different types of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and student loans. Scholarships and grants are the most attractive form of financial aid because they do not need to be paid back. Work-study programs allow students to work while earning their degree (typically through an on-campus job) to help finance their degree. Subsidized student loans offered through the federal government are the preferred option for many students because they boast payment deferral options and much lower interest rates than unsubsidized loans from banks.
Cost for Online Programs in Nebraska
In most cases, online schools offer tuition rates that are similar to on-campus programs. However, by enrolling in classes online students can save a considerable amount on expenses like books, transportation, and child care. Online colleges in Nebraska also offer comparable financial aid benefits to help you fund your education. When searching for online schools, be sure to consider all of the expenses of online education. Tuition is the largest and most important, but you will also have to pay for housing and food, technology related to online study, and any other fees or additional costs.
Cost of Living by Region
Aside from tuition, cost of living is the most important factor to consider when searching for colleges in Nebraska. Rent costs are highest in the large urban areas of the state than they are in rural areas. Below, you'll find information on how two of Nebraska's largest cities, Omaha and Lincoln, compare to other markets of comparable size throughout the Midwest.
Scholarships for Nebraska College Students
Employment Outlook in Nebraska
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics , Nebraska has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S. The state's largest industries for employment are trade, transportation, utilities, government, and education and health services. Although the state's mean annual wage is below the national average, the cost of living in Nebraska is significantly lower than in other states. Therefore, the cost of living is not as bad as it might appear at first glance.
| Nebraska | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 2.8% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $44,170 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Nebraska
Top Industries in Nebraska
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities This sector includes wholesale trade, retail trade, warehousing, logistics, shipping, and utilities. The industry has seen 0.6% growth over the past 12 months.
Government Local, state, and government positions make up the second-largest Nebraska employment sector. This group includes the military and all government entities aside from schools and hospitals.
Education and Health Services This sector includes most professionals in the education field, including teachers, professors, and school administrators. It also includes healthcare professionals and administrators across the state.
Source: BLS
Top Employers in Nebraska
Offutt Air Force Base: 9,584 employees
Nebraska Medicine: 9,000 employees
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services: 5,800 employees
Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor
Accreditation for Colleges in Nebraska
When searching for the best online colleges in Nebraska, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accredited schools must meet strict standards for quality and demonstrate that they offer a high quality educational experience to their students. There are two main types of accreditation: regional and national. Regional accreditation is considered more prestigious than national accreditation and is typically pursued by nonprofit public universities. On the other hand, national accreditation is commonly earned by for-profit colleges and trade or vocational schools. You should look for online schools in Nebraska with regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission.
Resources for Students in Nebraska
EducationQuest Foundation : This nonprofit organization works to improve access to higher education for Nebraska students. It offers free outreach and college planning services, college access grants, and need-based scholarship opportunities.
Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education : The CCPE helps low-income Nebraska residents attend college through financial aid and other support programs. It also provides specialized aid to students who wish to enter high-need fields.
Nebraska Education Savings Trust : NEST is a state-sponsored program that allows individuals to save for a college education for themselves or their children. The program offers tax and other benefits for enrolling.
Nebraska First Gen : The University of Nebraska in Lincoln offers a program that helps first-generation college students find success in higher education. The program features more than 300 faculty and staff who volunteer to support these students at the school.
State National Guard Tuition Assistance : Those enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard have access to assistance with GI Bill® benefits, financial aid, and other forms of support.