A Guide to Online Colleges in Nebraska

Throughout its history, Nebraska has been known for its agricultural value. From Lakota and Apache tribes, to French and Spanish settlers, to 19th century homesteaders, Nebraskans have produced beef, pork, corn, soybeans, and sorghum, among others. By 2010, the Cornhusker State's gross state product in 2010 was about $90 billion, having incorporated into the economy freight transportation, logistics, manufacturing, telecommunications, information technology, and insurance — notably Mutual of Omaha. Nebraska has also become an unlikely financial hub thanks to companies like TD Ameritrade and Berkshire Hathaway, whose CEO, Warren Buffet, is one the most successful investors in history — and one of the world's richest people. There are over 30 colleges and universities in the state, many of which are now offering online degree opportunities to keep pace with national trends and need for flexible, affordable higher education.

In-state tuition is often applied to public schools offering online programs. Many online programs require some face-to-face time, or more numerous support services at their brick and mortar locations. Intensive study experiences — often on the weekends or in several week long bouts — enable many online students to accelerate their time until graduation. And students looking at online education can drastically expand their educational options if they also look to hybrid degrees (degrees where degrees can be taken partially, or mostly online). Finally, one of the most common stipulations in scholarships is that students be from a certain state or region, often more funds are available to students seeking degrees in-state.

There are at least 13 public colleges and universities in Nebraska that offer online degrees. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the largest of these, offers 36, including 2 bachelors and 34 masters in a wide variety of fields, including Art Education specializations, Education Administration specializations, Special Education, an MBA, History, English, and more. UN Kearney (6 bachelors, 19 masters) and Omaha (17 bachelors, 7 masters) are the second and third largest providers. Metropolitan Community College offers 11 associates and bachelors in Business, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Education, and Information Sciences, among others. Southeast Community College offers the most two-year associates in the state, including unique programs in Geographic Information Systems, Food Services, Respiratory Care, Radiologic Technology, Surgical Technology, Fire and Emergency Services Management, and Dental Assisting.

At least 4 private colleges and universities offer online degrees in Nebraska. Bellevue University offers the most, at 75, including 47 bachelors, 27 masters, and a unique online PhD in Human Capital Management. Bachelors include tracks across a range of disciplines: Accounting, Information Systems, Healthcare Management, Graphic Design, Systems and Network Administration, Business, Legal Studies, International Security and Intelligence Studies, and Child Protection and Juvenile Justice. Masters include MBA specializations, an MPA, and more. Creighton is the second-largest online degree provider: 2 bachelors, 14 masters, and 4 doctorate-level degrees in Healthcare (Nursing, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy) and a Doctorate of Business Administration. Clarkson College and York College offer several online opportunities, as well.

Featured Online Schools

Potential Resident

For a variety of reasons, a student may look to move to the state of their online college program whether specifically required by the program or not — be it for a job, location desirability, school benefits, etc. Different states have different policies, however, and some of them can be rather demanding. While many states require students to be in the state for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first date of classes, Nebraska requires students to have lived at least 18 months. Further, according to the University of Nebraska, "mere physical presence in [Nebraska], regardless of length of stay, is not adequate to prove residency for tuition purposes," nor does owning property in the state guarantee residency approval. For a full treatment, click here.

For 2015-16, the average tuition for a four-year public school in Nebraska was $7,608 per year, or about $1,500 less than the national average; that represents a 4% increase from 2014-15, compared to a 3% national average, and a 5% increase over the previous five years, compared to a 13% national average. Two-year institutions like community colleges have fared equally well, with average tuition at about $2,900 per year — a thousand dollars less than the national average. All this is good news for Nebraska residents hoping to take advantage of in-state tuition, and, if current trends hold, Nebraskans should continue to enjoy highly stable and affordable public higher education costs.

There are at least 5 colleges and universities that offer online degrees in the Omaha area. University of Nebraska at Omaha is the largest, with 17 bachelors and 7 masters in range of fields. Undergraduate options include unique studies in Sociology, Nonprofit Administration, Fire Service Management, Management Information Systems, Gerontology, Information Technology, and Aviation Science. Metropolitan Community College is among the largest two-year professional schools in the state and also offers bachelors in Business, Corrections, Law Enforcement, and Education, among others. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health offers an MS in Healthcare Management and a BSN to Doctor of Nurse Practitioner. Among private schools, Clarkson College and Bellevue University have online tracks in the area, with the latter offering the largest selection in Nebraska. Briar Cliff University, Morningside College, and Western Iowa Tech Community College are options in Sioux City.

Nebraska's Lincoln campus is the main provider of online degrees in the city and the second-largest statewide, offering 36 tracks. Bachelor's tracks include a BSAS and BS in Early Childhood in a Mobile Society. From there, master's degrees are available in Family Financial Planning, Journalism & Mass Communications, Community Development, Engineering Management, Space, Cyber and Telecommunications Law, and Education and Business specializations. For students willing to make occasional commutes, Peru has Peru State College (8 bachelors, 2 masters) and Southeast Community College (15 associates). Kearney options include UNK, with 25 online tracks, and Central Community College, with 5 associates in Business Administration, Business Technology, Health Information Management Services, Information Technology & Systems, and Quality Technology.

Bellevue University offers the most online degrees in the state. Of the 47 bachelors, highlights include tracks in Behavioral Science, Communication Studies, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Investigations, IT Operations Management, Non-Profit Management, Nursing (RN to BSN), Software Development, Project Management, Sport Management, and Sustainability Management, among others. There are 27 masters available: Business and Professional Communication, Healthcare Administration, Acquisition and Contract Management, Justice Administration and Crime Management, Strategic Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and Strategic Finance, among others. A unique PhD in Human Capital Management is available online, as well. Just north, University of Nebraska-Omaha offers over 20 online degrees and Metropolitan Community College offers 11 associates and bachelors. Briar Cliff University, Morningside College, and Western Iowa Tech Community College offer online degrees from Sioux City.

The Best Online Colleges in Nebraska

Monitoring the accreditation of a university you are interested in attending is incredibly important. Accreditation ensures your credits can transfer that you can receive Federal financial aid, and most importantly that certain standards of educational quality are during your schooling. The highest accreditation standard for most programs in the United States is provided by regional accreditation agencies. The regional accrediting agency for Nebraska is the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional accrediting agencies responsible for accrediting schools in Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Making sure that a University you're hoping to attend is regionally accredited — or accredited by a real and respected accrediting agency — is one of the most important choices you can make in ensuring the quality of your education.

Three Steps for Securing Financial Aid

• Submit your FAFSA.

• Check to see if additional forms are needed at your university of choice.

• Search and apply for private scholarships.

Through the previous three steps most students find themselves offered some sort of federal grant, work study, private grant, scholarship, or stipend.

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