2026 Best Value Science & Tech Schools in Nebraska
Looking for the best-value Science & Tech degree programs in Nebraska? Our ranking highlights 41 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated 17 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in Nebraska
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Metropolitan Community College Area tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Science & Tech degree schools in Nebraska. Set in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $12,799. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,773 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Metropolitan Community College Area report
You'll get strong value at Southeast Community College Area, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete their Science & Tech program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,405. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Southeast Community College Area
Out of the 17 schools in Nebraska in this year's value ranking, Central Community College landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Grand Island, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Central Community College Science & Tech students take on a median of $10,277 in debt. Central Community College alumni report median earnings of $39,429 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Central Community College
A rank of #4 makes Northeast Community College one of the best values in Nebraska. Set in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,937 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Northeast Community College alumni report median earnings of $42,634 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,937 median debt. See the full Northeast Community College profile
Out of the 17 schools in Nebraska in this year's value ranking, Wayne State College landed the #5 spot. Wayne State College is a public school based in Wayne, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,171. Wayne State College Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,974 in debt. Wayne State College alumni report median earnings of $47,075 a decade after entry. Set against $22,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Wayne State College
Chadron State College landed the #6 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Based in Chadron, NE, Chadron State College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,294. Chadron State College Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,912 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,002 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Chadron State College profile
Bellevue University landed the #7 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Set in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,873 in tuition and fees. The median Science & Tech program debt is $27,852. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Bellevue University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #8 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Nebraska. Set in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. Median earnings reach $56,887 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Nebraska Lincoln profile
University Of Nebraska At Kearney placed #9 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Nebraska. Set in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete their Science & Tech program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $50,105. Set against $22,173 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Nebraska At Kearney profile
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school based in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. University Of Nebraska At Omaha alumni report median earnings of $53,909 a decade after entry. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants. See the full University Of Nebraska At Omaha profile
Peru State College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Peru State College is a public school based in Peru, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,433. Peru State College Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,254 in debt. Peru State College alumni report median earnings of $47,071 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Peru State College
Concordia University Seward ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Located in Seward, NE, Concordia University Seward is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,640. Graduates carry a median of $26,726 in student loans. Concordia University Seward alumni report median earnings of $52,415 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,726 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Concordia University Seward
Doane College Crete came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Doane College Crete is a private not-for-profit school based in Crete, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,985. The median Science & Tech program debt is $28,802. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,316. Set against $28,802 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Doane College Crete has an acceptance rate of 98%. Read more about Doane College Crete
Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit school based in Lincoln, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,572. Students borrow a median of $27,667 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Nebraska Wesleyan University profile
Midland University landed the #15 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Set in Fremont, NE, Midland University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,050. The median Science & Tech program debt is $27,536. Midland University alumni report median earnings of $52,163 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 66% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Midland University profile
Creighton University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Based in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,856 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Median earnings reach $73,911 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Creighton University
Hastings College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Hastings College is a private not-for-profit school based in Hastings, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $37,770. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,125. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. Get the full Hastings College report
Josephs College Cosmetology offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. See the full Josephs College Cosmetology profile
Union College Nebraska offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Get the full Union College Nebraska report
Alegent Health School Of Radiologic Technology landed the #20 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Read the full report on Alegent Health School Of Radiologic Technology
York College Nebraska offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read the full report on York College Nebraska
Universal College Of Healing Arts landed the #22 spot for value in Nebraska this year. See the full Universal College Of Healing Arts profile
Little Priest Tribal College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. More on Little Priest Tribal College
Myotherapy Institute came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. See the full Myotherapy Institute profile
Bryan College Of Health Sciences came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Bryan College Of Health Sciences
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Science & Tech Degree Schools in Nebraska
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. Read more about Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture
College Of Saint Mary offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. See the full College Of Saint Mary profile
Nebraska Indian Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Get the full Nebraska Indian Community College report
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. See the full Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health profile
Summit Christian College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Get the full Summit Christian College report
Western Nebraska Community College ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science & Tech schools. See the full Western Nebraska Community College profile
University Of Nebraska Medical Center placed #32 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Nebraska. Read more about University Of Nebraska Medical Center
University Of Nebraska Central Administration System Office offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Central Administration System Office
Ricketts Great Books College landed the #34 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Read more about Ricketts Great Books College
College Of Hair Design East Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full College Of Hair Design East Campus report
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics placed #36 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Nebraska. More on Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics
Xenon International Academy Omaha came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Xenon International Academy Omaha report
College Of Hair Design Downtown placed #38 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Nebraska. Get the full College Of Hair Design Downtown report
Clarkson College
Clarkson College landed the #39 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Get the full Clarkson College report
Mid Plains Community College placed #40 among the best-value Science & Tech schools in Nebraska. Read more about Mid Plains Community College
Wisconsin Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner Group Pmts Lincoln offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Wisconsin Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner Group Pmts Lincoln
More Science & Tech Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 17 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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