Nebraska Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Nebraska College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Nebraska institutions.
Top Nebraska Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Public 4-yr | $10,152 | $29,172 | 19,900 |
| University of Nebraska Omaha | Public 4-yr | $8,820 | $22,080 | 12,600 |
| University of Nebraska Kearney | Public 4-yr | $8,130 | $15,480 | 5,500 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | Private | $36,480 | $36,480 | 1,700 |
| Creighton University | Private | $47,910 | $47,910 | 4,500 |
| Wayne State College | Public 4-yr | $7,898 | $13,648 | 4,500 |
| Chadron State College | Public 4-yr | $7,734 | $13,484 | 2,500 |
| Metropolitan CC (Omaha) | Community | $3,800 | $5,000 | 16,000 |
Nebraska State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (CCPE).
Nebraska Opportunity Grant
Need-based grant for NE residents at eligible NE institutions.
Nebraska Career Scholarship
For NE students pursuing high-demand career programs at NE institutions.
Attracting Excellence to Teaching
Forgivable loans for NE residents pursuing teaching careers with NE service commitment.
Community College Gap Assistance Program
Additional support for NE residents attending NE community colleges.
Door to College Scholarship
Substantial need-based scholarship funded by the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation for NE residents.
Student Loan Options for Nebraska Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Nebraska have a state student loan program?
No. Nebraska does not run a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do — including MEFA (Massachusetts), RISLA (Rhode Island), Minnesota SELF, the Bank of North Dakota DEAL Student Loan, VSAC (Vermont), CHESLA (Connecticut), NJCLASS (New Jersey), ISL Education Lending (Iowa), NHHEAF/Granite State (New Hampshire), FAME (Maine), and Kentucky's Advantage Education Loan. These programs often price below major private banks. Nebraska residents should lean on federal loans first, then compare private lenders directly.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Nebraska state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Nebraska students and families.
How much does college cost in Nebraska?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Nebraska public four-year universities is about $10,200 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $24,100 on campus for Nebraska residents and $32,800 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Nebraska?
Nebraska borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $32,900. Total outstanding federal student debt for Nebraska residents is approximately $8.5 billion.
Does Nebraska offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Nebraska administers the Opportunity Grant (need-based), Career Scholarship (high-demand fields), Attracting Excellence to Teaching, and partners with the Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship (a major private scholarship for NE residents).
Does Nebraska have a state student loan program?
No. Nebraska does not operate a state nonprofit student lender. About a dozen states do, including Massachusetts (MEFA), Rhode Island (RISLA), Minnesota (SELF), North Dakota (DEAL), and Kentucky (Advantage Education Loan). Nebraska residents should start with federal student loans through the FAFSA and compare private lenders for any remaining gap financing.
Which Nebraska colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
NE community colleges average $3,800 per year. Chadron State is the lowest four-year public at $7,734, followed by Wayne State. UNL is the highest in-state public at $10,152.
What scholarships are available for Nebraska residents?
Key awards include the Nebraska Opportunity Grant, Career Scholarship, Teaching Scholarship, and the Susan Thompson Buffett Scholarship. Creighton offers substantial institutional aid.
Related Nebraska Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Nebraska public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- Nebraska CCPE program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Colin Graves