As a largely rural, agricultural state, Nebraska is a perfect place to pursue online learning. Nebraska residents have a history of using distance learning to complete coursework, and online degrees make it even more accessible. Online schools in Nebraska offer a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and professional certificate and degree programs, many of which are targeted to meet the needs of the state’s agricultural, rural, and military communities.
The Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (Great Plains IDEA), for example, is a collaborative effort of 20 public universities — which includes the University of Nebraska — to offer quality online programs in human sciences. Another affiliate program, AG*IDEA, offers online programs in agriculture. The University of Nebraska also offers over 100 online programs through a collaboration between its four campuses and its online high school. Of Nebraska’s 41 degree-granting colleges and universities, many feature fully online programs. To enhance the quality and quantity of online course offerings, the Nebraska Digital Learning Association provides professional development and networking opportunities for distance learning professionals.
Efforts to expand online learning in Nebraska are paying off. The federal government reports that in 2012, nearly one-third of students attending Nebraska colleges and universities were taking some or all of their courses online. Online colleges in Nebraska have made education convenient and affordable, offering some of the lowest tuition rates in the country. According to the College Board, the average in-state tuition rate for four-year public colleges in Nebraska was $8,270 in 2017-18, and the out-of-state rate was $20,310.
If you are seeking an online degree in Nebraska, we’ve got you covered.
Four reasons to find an online college in your state:
- Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
- Be a part of a university or college you know and love
- Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
- Be close enough to easily visit when desired
Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Nebraska:
We selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Nebraska, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Nebraska may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Nebraska.
The Best Online Colleges in Nebraska
1. Creighton University
Omaha, Nebraska
Creighton University is a private Roman Catholic university founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878. The university is among the largest private Christian universities in the state with over 8,000 students and nearly 1,000 academic personnel. The university contains nine academic colleges, the largest of which is the College of Arts and Sciences. It contains more than one third of the student body.
Creighton University offers online baccalaureate, master, doctoral and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degrees include leadership and healthy lifestyles management. Online master’s degrees include business administration and emergency medical services. Online doctoral degrees include healthcare ethics and educational leadership. Online certifications available include lifestyle medicine.
Online student resources include online tutoring, technical support and an online library with librarians available via email or over the phone.
Creighton University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
2. University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
The University of Nebraska at Omaha, a public space-grant university established in 1908, held its first classes in a mansion with only 26 students in attendance. It gained its current name when it joined the University of Nebraska System in 1965. The university has over 15,000 students in attendance and offers a wide variety of majors.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers online baccalaureate, master and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degree programs include architectural engineering and sociology. Online master’s degree programs include writing and social gerontology. Available online certifications include data management and systems development.
Online student resources include an online job board and an online library with librarians available via email, text message or over the phone.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3. University of Nebraska at Kearney
Kearney, Nebraska
The University of Nebraska Kearney, founded in 1905 as an all-female teacher’s college, teaches over 900 students in total. It offers more than 40 academic programs, including education, biology and history, spanning four academic colleges. The campus sits on roughly 230 acres of land and includes Frank House, a mansion listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Museum of Nebraska Art, which houses over 175 years of artistic history.
The University of Nebraska Kearney offers a number of baccalaureate degrees and master’s degrees online. Bachelor’s degree options include criminal justice and business administration. Master’s degree offerings include biology and several topics in education.
Resources available to online students include an online job board, 24/7 live online technical support and an online library.
The University of Nebraska Kearney is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
4. University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska
The University of Nebraska at Lincoln, founded in 1869, is a land-grant university. The university is the flagship of the University of Nebraska system. The school developed the “Nebraska method,” a method of studying ecology that brought about a new field of ecology. The university serves more than 24,000 students and offers over 275 degree programs.
The University of Nebraska at Lincoln offers a number of baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral, specialist and certificate programs via the Office of Online and Distance Education. Bachelor’s degrees include applied science and early childhood education. Master’s degree options include agronomy and community development. Doctoral degree offerings include educational leadership, while specialist degrees include P-12 education administration. Certifications available include supply chain management and youth development.
Online student resources include an online library with librarians available via email, text message or over the phone.
The University of Nebraska at Lincoln is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
5. Chadron State College
Chadron, Nebraska
Founded in 1909, five of Chadron State College’s buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. The college offers over 50 undergraduate-level programs of study as well as a number of graduate programs.
Chadron State College offers baccalaureate and master’s degrees entirely online with a handful of hybrid programs also available. Online bachelor’s degrees include mathematics and organizational management, while online master’s degrees include business administration and educational administration.
Resources available to online students include live online technical support and an online library with access to an array of databases, including Britannica and PubMed, as well as several librarians available via email or over the phone.
Chadron State College is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
6. Bellevue University
Bellevue, Nebraska
Bellevue University, a non-profit university, provides an extensive variety of degree programs. Students are free to suggest programs of study to the university on its page outlining its degree offerings. More than 80% of the student body is over 25 years of age.
Bellevue University offers baccalaureate, master and doctoral programs entirely online. Bachelor’s degrees include banking operations management and web technologies. Master’s degree options include managerial communication and clinical counseling. Doctoral degree offerings include human capital management.
Resources available to online students include online tutoring via Skype or over the phone, online writing assistance and an online library with multiple librarians available via live chat 24/7.
Bellevue University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
7. Peru State College
Peru, Nebraska
Peru State College, founded by a group of Methodist Episcopal Church members in 1865, is a public liberal arts school. During World War II, the college trained naval officers drafted into the war to prepare them for deployment. The college nearly closed in 1998, but lawmakers decided to improve it instead.
Peru State College offers online baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Online bachelor’s degrees include management and psychology, while online master’s degrees include education and organizational management.
Resources available to online students include an online library with librarians available via email or over the phone.
Peru State College is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
8. Clarkson College
Omaha, Nebraska
Clarkson College, founded in 1888 as a two-year nursing school, specializes primarily in the medical field. The college has an affiliation with the Nebraska Medical Center as well as the Episcopal Church. Some of its more prominent majors include nursing, radiology, physical therapy and medical imaging.
Clarkson College offers associate, baccalaureate, master, doctoral, specialist and certificate programs entirely online. Associate’s degrees include health information technology. Bachelor’s degrees include healthcare business management and medical imaging. Master’s degree options include nursing and healthcare administration. Doctoral degree offerings include nursing, while specialist degrees include healthcare education and leadership. Available certifications include health information management and imaging informatics.
Online student resources include an online library with librarians available via email or over the phone.
Clarkson College is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
9. York College
York, Nebraska
Established in 1890, York College is private four-year college affiliated with the Churches of Christ. Located in York, just south of Lincoln, this school offers two online graduate degrees: the master of arts in education with a specialization in curriculum and instruction, and the master of arts in organizational and global leadership. Courses are delivered asynchronously with no required class or login times. Distance learners may enroll in this online school in Nebraska as full- or part-time students and can complete degrees in as little as one year.
Prospective students for this online college in Nebraska must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited institution and have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants with a lower GPA may submit a statement reflecting their personal goals and aspirations to be considered with their application.
York College is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.