Omaha, Nebraska Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Colleges in Omaha, Nebraska: median public in-state tuition $13,963 (+153.3% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $64,974 (+19.5% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 95.7% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $17,000 (+28.1% vs U.S.) 27,854 students enrolled statewide.
Overview
Colleges and universities in Omaha serve students across Nebraska with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 12 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 27,854 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $13,963. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Omaha, Nebraska and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Omaha vs Nebraska & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, Nebraska | $13,963 | $16,590 | $17,000 | 59.5% | 27,854 |
| Nebraska (state median) | $5,400 | $11,632 | $19,500 | 52.0% | 89,523 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Omaha, Nebraska vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, Nebraska | $64,974 | 95.7% | 79.8% | 1.9% | — | 81.9% | 0.36 |
| Nebraska (state median) | $54,124 | 93.8% | 75.0% | 3.0% | — | 80.7% | 0.40 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Nebraska (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha, Nebraska | $13,963 | $16,590 | $17,000 | 59.5% | 27,854 | $64,974 | 95.7% |
| Lincoln | $18,695 | $17,934 | $16,500 | 66.5% | 28,684 | $56,646 | 94.4% |
| Bellevue | $9,903 | $17,550 | $20,000 | 33.0% | 10,220 | $61,289 | 88.7% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Omaha, Nebraska
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private nonprofit | 4 | $64,974 | 95.7% | 82.7% | 1.9% | — | 81.9% |
Top 4 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 83.4%, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 59.5%, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 47.1%, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 46.7%, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
Top 5 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 96.8%, University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 96.5%, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 95.5%, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 93.4%, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 92.8%, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top 4 most selective colleges in Omaha, Nebraska (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 73.4%, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 78.2%, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 79.8%, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 4, Admission Rate, 87.0%, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top 6 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $85,964, University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $79,671, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $77,587, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $73,835, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $72,738, College of Saint Mary
College of Saint Mary
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $70,680, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Top 6 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $114,504, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $106,916, University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $104,314, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $81,508, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $76,879, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $73,801, College of Saint Mary
College of Saint Mary
Top 5 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $70,417, University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $63,090, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $62,339, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $61,249, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $45,494, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top 5 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $72,465, University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $69,364, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $65,073, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $63,758, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $50,883, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top 5 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $76,833, University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $73,911, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $65,071, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $64,876, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 5, 10-Yr Earnings, $53,909, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top 5 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $224,764, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $207,681, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $196,494, College of Saint Mary
College of Saint Mary
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $186,390, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $183,666, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Top 5 most affordable colleges in Omaha, Nebraska (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $13,441, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Rank 2, Net Price, $16,590, College of Saint Mary
College of Saint Mary
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Rank 3, Net Price, $19,241, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
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Rank 4, Net Price, $21,863, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 5, Net Price, $31,568, Creighton University
Creighton University
Top 4 colleges in Omaha, Nebraska by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 94.2%, Creighton University
Creighton University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 85.7%, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 77.9%, University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 60.9%, Clarkson College
Clarkson College
In-state tuition: Omaha, Nebraska vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Omaha, Nebraska median in-state tuition is $13,963, +153.3% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Omaha, Nebraska vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Omaha, Nebraska is $17,000 (+28.1% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $16,750.
Median earnings (10 years out): Omaha, Nebraska vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Omaha, Nebraska center around $64,974 (+19.5% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Omaha, Nebraska vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 95.7% at the median Omaha, Nebraska campus (+7.8 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Omaha, Nebraska median public in-state tuition is $13,963, about +153.3% vs the national median. Versus the Plains region, tuition is +124.3%.
Median graduate debt is $17,000 (+28.1% above the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Omaha, Nebraska are $64,974, about +19.5% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 95.7% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (+7.8 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 79.8% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 1.9% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 81.9% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include University of Nebraska Medical Center (96.8%), Clarkson College (96.5%), Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health (95.5%), Creighton University (93.4%), University of Nebraska at Omaha (92.8%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Omaha, Nebraska, sector medians diverge: Private nonprofit median 10-yr earnings $64,974 (4 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Omaha, Nebraska is 59.5% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Omaha?
This city profile covers 12 campuses in Omaha, Nebraska with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Omaha?
Median in-state tuition in Omaha is $13,963 and median net price is $16,590. For Nebraska overall, medians are $5,400 and $11,632; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Omaha?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Omaha is $64,974 vs $54,124 for Nebraska and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Omaha colleges?
Median completer debt in Omaha is $17,000 vs $19,500 for Nebraska and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Omaha?
Top campuses on this page include Creighton University (graduation) and University of Nebraska Medical Center (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Omaha?
Among 12 campuses in Omaha, Nebraska, 5 religiously affiliated private nonprofit campuses (IPEDS RELAFFIL); most common affiliations: Roman Catholic (3), Episcopal Church, Reformed (1), United Methodist (1).
Sources & related
- Nebraska college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON