Compare costs, outcomes, and program formats across Nebraska's top-ranked nursing schools.
Nebraska registered nurses earn an average of $88,330 per year, and the state’s first-time NCLEX pass rate of 95.06% tops the national average. However, cost, format, and graduation outcomes vary widely across the 15 ranked institutions, from large public research campuses to small faith-based colleges, with several offering hybrid or online pathways.
Prospective students can compare tuition, licensure exam performance, and earnings data to find a program that fits their budget and career goals.
Our 2026 rankings evaluate Nebraska nursing schools based on the metrics that matter most to aspiring nurses: how affordable the program is, whether students complete their degrees, and what they earn after graduation. The programs below stand out for delivering strong value and preparing graduates for successful nursing careers in Nebraska and beyond.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Creighton University | Omaha, NE | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | Aspiring RNs valuing Jesuit education and high earnings | |
Creighton University in Omaha offers a BSN rooted in Jesuit values, with an emphasis on ethics and compassionate care. Direct freshman admission, small cohorts, and a high NCLEX pass rate prepare graduates for immediate employment in diverse healthcare settings. The program pairs rigorous science with hands-on clinical experience, and alumni report strong long-term earnings.
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| #2 | Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Budget-minded students entering nursing in rural Nebraska | |
Northeast Community College in Norfolk provides an affordable ADN pathway for students aiming to become RNs in rural communities. The program combines theory with clinical rotations in local healthcare settings and boasts strong NCLEX pass rates. With both full-time and part-time options, it serves a region facing critical nursing shortages.
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| #3 | Bryan College of Health Sciences | Lincoln, NE | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | Clinical-focused learners guaranteed a Nebraska RN job | |
Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln integrates its BSN and accelerated BSN programs with Bryan Health, offering a direct pipeline to nursing careers in Nebraska. Students complete over 1,200 clinical hours with a 1:6 faculty-to-student ratio and receive a job guarantee upon licensure. Both tracks boast strong NCLEX performance and high starting salaries.
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| #4 | Central Community College | Grand Island, NE | $7,000/yr | ||
Central Community College serves central Nebraska with an ACEN-accredited ADN program offered at multiple locations. The curriculum emphasizes safe, quality care and professional identity, with clinical placements in rural health settings. Admission requires a Nurse Aide course and background screening, and the net price is among the lowest in the state.
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| #5 | Nebraska Methodist College | Omaha, NE | ~$22,000/yr (est.) | ||
Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha offers a CCNE-accredited BSN that combines foundational sciences with clinical reasoning. The program reports a 93.3% NCLEX pass rate and a 96% employment rate. Students benefit from clinical rotations across the Methodist Health System and a senior preceptorship, with a focus on ethical practice and cultural competence.
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| #6 | College of Saint Mary | Omaha, NE | $17,000/yr (net price) | ||
College of Saint Mary in Omaha provides a BSN and an LPN-to-BSN pathway within a women's college environment. The BSN blends theory with patient care and health promotion, while the LPN-to-BSN builds on existing nursing experience. Both tracks prepare students for RN licensure, with financial aid options available.
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| #7 | Southeast Community College Area | Lincoln, NE | $9,000/yr (net price) | ||
Southeast Community College in Lincoln offers an ACEN-accredited ADN with hybrid and in-person formats. The program emphasizes critical thinking and teamwork, preparing graduates for NCLEX-RN and compact state licensure. An LPN-to-RN option provides career mobility, and the estimated total cost is among the most competitive in Nebraska.
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| #8 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | Lincoln, NE | $18,000/yr | ||
Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln offers a four-year BSN that integrates liberal arts with over 800 clinical hours. The program maintains small class sizes, an NCLEX prep course, and direct entry options for high achievers. Clinical preceptorships in Lincoln hospitals and a global health focus prepare graduates for diverse nursing roles.
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| #9 | Union Adventist University | Lincoln, NE | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Union Adventist University in Lincoln runs Nebraska's oldest BSN program, established in 1896. The curriculum includes over 900 clinical hours and a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate for recent graduates. CCNE-accredited with LPN-BSN and RN-BSN options, the program integrates Christian service values and offers membership in Sigma Theta Tau.
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| #10 | Clarkson College | Omaha, NE | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Clarkson College in Omaha offers a hybrid BSN that combines online coursework with on-campus labs and clinicals at Nebraska Medicine. The program emphasizes critical thinking, leadership, and early hands-on learning, with a 2.5 GPA admission requirement. Graduates benefit from strong placement in Nebraska's largest academic medical center.
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The table below compares Nebraska BSN programs side by side. Net Price (Effective) represents the institution-wide average amount students pay after grants and scholarships. Graduation rates are for the institution as a whole, not specific to the nursing program.
| School | Tuition (In-State) | Net Price (Effective) | Graduation Rate | Median Debt | Median Earnings (10yr) | Program Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton University | $48,856 | $31,568 | 83.4% | $25,000 | $73,911 | Campus |
| Bryan College of Health Sciences | $20,640 | $26,919 | 70.0% | $24,985 | $70,845 | Campus |
| Nebraska Methodist College | $18,934 | $21,863 | 59.5% | $23,417 | $65,071 | Campus |
| College of Saint Mary | $24,510 | $16,590 | 60.5% | $24,250 | $54,338 | Campus |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | $43,572 | $18,327 | 66.1% | $26,970 | $56,405 | Campus |
| Union Adventist University | $29,334 | $23,716 | 52.3% | $27,000 | $55,045 | Campus |
| Clarkson College | $16,104 | $19,241 | 46.7% | $23,716 | $64,876 | Hybrid |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | $16,973 | N/A | N/A | $15,000 | $76,833 | Campus |
| Midland University | $42,050 | $26,267 | 42.1% | $26,134 | $52,163 | Campus |
| Concordia University-Nebraska | $40,640 | $23,965 | 64.9% | $25,750 | $52,415 | Hybrid |
| Doane University | $41,985 | $26,364 | 57.1% | $25,000 | $53,316 | Online |
While the state’s lowest-priced nursing programs are actually associate-degree pathways, they offer an affordable stepping stone toward a BSN. Many graduates later enroll in RN-to-BSN programs, building on credits that were earned for a fraction of the cost. Nebraska-specific aid, such as the Nebraska Nursing Scholarship (up to $5,000 for BSN students), the renewable UNMC Madonna Nursing Scholarship (up to $10,000 for accelerated BSN students), and the Nebraska Health Care Foundation Nursing Scholarships, can further reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Low median graduate debt translates to manageable monthly payments; estimated 10-year payments assume a standard 4.5% interest rate.
| School | Program | Net Price | Median Graduate Debt | Est. 10-Yr Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan Community College Area | Associate Degree in Nursing or Associate of Science in Nursing | $4,982 | $8,217 | $86 |
| Central Community College | Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) | $7,024 | $7,992 | $83 |
| Northeast Community College | Associate Degree Nursing | $8,544 | $11,000 | $115 |
What’s the difference between a traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN-to-BSN in Nebraska?
A traditional BSN is built for first-time college students or career changers with no prior nursing credential. You can expect a full-time commitment of about four years and 120–124 credits, covering general education, nursing prerequisites, and hands-on clinical rotations. Schools like Creighton University, Bryan College of Health Sciences, Nebraska Methodist College, and UNMC all offer on-campus traditional BSN pathways, while Clarkson College runs a hybrid format that mixes online coursework with in-person clinicals. Direct freshman admission is common at institutions such as Creighton and Bryan College.
If you already hold a bachelor’s in another field, an accelerated BSN compresses nursing coursework into 12–18 months of intensive study. The University of Nebraska Medical Center operates a 12-month accelerated track that requires a prior degree, and Nebraska Methodist College offers a similar 12-month, 124-credit program. Because you skip general education and build on existing credits, the total cost is often lower than a traditional four-year plan, though the per-credit rate may be higher. Accelerated programs are demanding and typically delivered on campus with a full-time, lockstep schedule.
Working RNs with an associate degree or nursing diploma can complete a BSN in as little as 12–24 months. These programs award credit for your active license and previous education. Doane University delivers a fully online RN-to-BSN program, and Bellevue University offers an online option requiring 32 credits of nursing major coursework. Clarkson College allows up to 83 hours of credit by validation for RN-to-BSN students. Because many programs are designed for part-time study, they fit well around work schedules.
Licensed practical nurses can advance directly to a BSN through bridge programs that grant credit for LPN training and experience. Union Adventist University lists an LPN-to-BSN track, and other Nebraska institutions may offer similar pathways. Completion typically takes two to three years, depending on transfer credits and whether you enroll full or part time.
Program length and credit-hour totals are not tracked in our directory for individual schools, so you will need to verify specifics with each program. Research points to general ranges: traditional BSNs run about four years and 120–124 credits; accelerated tracks last 12–18 months; RN-to-BSN completion often takes 12–24 months with 30–40 credits beyond the associate degree. While accelerated and RN-to-BSN programs tend to have a lower total sticker price because of their shorter duration, per-credit costs can exceed those of a traditional plan. Always compare net price and financial aid offers when evaluating total cost.
NCLEX-RN pass rates are a key indicator of nursing program quality, reflecting how well graduates are prepared for licensure. In 2024, Nebraska's overall first-time pass rate reached 95.06%, significantly above the national average of 86.7% and ranking the state 3rd in the nation. This data, reported by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the NCSBN, highlights the strong outcomes of the state's nursing schools.
For students searching for online nursing schools in Nebraska, several accredited programs offer flexible learning paths. While traditional prelicensure BSN degrees remain campus-based due to hands-on clinical requirements, a handful of schools provide hybrid or fully online tracks, primarily for registered nurses advancing to a BSN.
Among the ranked BSN programs, Clarkson College and Concordia University-Nebraska both offer hybrid formats that blend online coursework with periodic in-person sessions. Doane University's RN-to-BSN track is entirely online and designed for licensed RNs. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) likewise offers a well-established online RN-BSN completion option, although its Traditional BSN requires on-campus attendance at one of its five Nebraska locations. These online and hybrid pathways open doors for working nurses and students who need scheduling flexibility.
In an online or hybrid BSN, didactic courses, theory, research, ethics, and leadership, are delivered asynchronously or via virtual classrooms. Students log in from home and complete assignments on a set schedule. However, nursing education cannot be entirely screen-based: clinical hours must be fulfilled in person at healthcare facilities. Schools coordinate these placements, often allowing students to complete them near their home communities. Even in a fully online RN-BSN, a capstone or community health project typically involves local clinical experiences.
Nebraska nursing schools leverage strong ties with major hospital systems to arrange clinical rotations. UNMC's extensive network includes Nebraska Medicine, Bryan Health, and CHI Health facilities such as CHI Health St. Elizabeth and Good Samaritan. Nebraska Methodist College, which is owned by Methodist Health System, places students primarily within that system's hospitals, Methodist Hospital, Methodist Women's Hospital, and Methodist Jennie Edmundson. Other programs, including those at Clarkson and Concordia, partner with regional providers across the state. Students in online or hybrid programs should confirm how clinicals are arranged and whether geographic restrictions apply.
Choosing an online or hybrid BSN in Nebraska means balancing flexibility with the essential hands-on practice nursing demands. Prospective students should verify program accreditation and ensure the format aligns with their learning style and career goals.
Nebraska RNs earn an average of $88,330 annually, outpacing the national median. While program cost data isn't aggregated here, checking each school's net price calculator helps weigh tuition against strong salary potential.
What should I actually check when comparing nursing schools in Nebraska? A program brochure can make every school sound ideal, but the real decision lives in a handful of concrete details: cost, licensure alignment, accreditation, format, and graduate outcomes. Work through these filters in order to find a program that fits your budget, schedule, and career goals.
Start with money, but look beyond the published tuition. Net price after grants and scholarships often tells a different story. The comparison table above shows median debt and post-graduation earnings side by side for each school. A low sticker price paired with weak earnings may leave you with debt that outpaces your paycheck. The table of most affordable BSN programs in Nebraska highlights the cheapest options, but weigh those against the earnings data in the cost-versus-return infographic before committing.
Every Nebraska nursing graduate follows the same path to RN licensure through the Nebraska Board of Nursing. The application costs $123, plus a $45.25 background check requiring an FD-258 fingerprint card (live scan is available).1 You register for the NCLEX-RN on Pearson VUE and can submit your application up to 90 days before graduation.1 If all materials except the background check are received, the board issues a 60-day temporary license,2 which lets you start working while the full check clears. Ask schools how they support these steps. Do they integrate NCLEX prep into the curriculum? Are clinical placements secured or do you hunt on your own? A program that wraps licensure logistics into the final semester saves you time and stress.
Accreditation by the CCNE or ACEN is required for licensure, transfer credits, and most advanced practice programs. This information is not embedded in our rankings, so you must verify it on each school's website. If a program is not nationally accredited, cross it off the list, no matter how attractive the price or location.
Nebraska offers the full spectrum: traditional BSN, accelerated BSN for career changers, ADN-to-BSN bridges, and online or hybrid BSNs for working nurses. Match the format to your life. If you are juggling a job, an online program with local clinical placements may suit you better than a rigid on-campus schedule. Check how far you will commute for clinicals and whether the school partners with hospitals near you.
Finally, let data settle the tie. NCLEX-RN pass rates (see the infographic above) are a direct measure of how well a school prepares its graduates. Consistent dips below state averages signal gaps in teaching or support. Combine that data with the median earnings snapshot in the cost-versus-return graphic. A program that costs more but produces graduates who earn significantly more may be the smarter long-term investment.
Nebraska BSN programs provide a strong return on investment: net prices often fall below national averages, NCLEX pass rates are consistently high, and early-career RN salaries are competitive. For aspiring nurses, the state offers an affordable, high-quality path to licensure with solid financial prospects.
Got questions about nursing schools in Nebraska? Below we answer the most common queries from aspiring nurses, covering program costs, admissions, online options, and career outcomes. These answers draw on data from Nebraska programs and industry sources to help you make an informed decision.
