Best Nursing Schools in Nebraska for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Nebraska

Apart from surreal corn fields and thriving agriculture, Nebraska is home to some of the top nursing schools in the country. So whether you are an experienced nurse looking for academic advancement or you want to break into the nursing field, you have some worthy choices.

Choosing the right nursing school does not only depend on its ranking but also on other factors. With accelerated degree programs and bridge programs, you can become a nurse with significantly less time in school.

To earn job satisfaction and a handsome RN salary in Nebraska, the right nursing education in the right school is of utmost importance. To make the process less stressful, Incredible Health has compiled this guide citing all the best schools and programs for you to choose from in the state of Nebraska.

Nebraska’s top nursing programs:

University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bryan College of Health Sciences
Nebraska Methodist College
Clarkson College
Creighton University
College of Saint Mary
Nebraska Wesleyan University

1. University of Nebraska Medical Center– Score: 74.29

NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.94%

In-State Annual Tuition: $7,770

Out-of-State Annual Tuition: $24,450

Located in Omaha, the University of Nebraska Medical Center is one of the top nursing schools in Nebraska since they offer the best resources, latest technology and research facilities. They also have 50 international partnerships in 21 countries for education and research purposes.

They offer 5 graduate, post-graduate, and diploma degree programs—BSN, ABSN, RN to BSN, DNP and MSN. Several elective nursing courses are available. The graduation rate of this eminent medical school stands at 95%.

Available courses are as follows:

BSN
ABSN
RN to BSN
DNP
MSN

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2. Bryan College of Health Sciences– Score: 72.86

NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.43%

In-State Annual Tuition: $22,500

Out-of-State Annual Tuition: $22,500

Bryan College of Health Sciences is one of the best nursing colleges in the state, with the highest NCLEX pass rate on our list. It offers 6 nursing courses across graduate, post-graduate, diploma, and PG certificate programs. With a graduation rate of 76%, the college provides both on-site and online learning opportunities. The college has a reputation for providing 100% employment within four months of graduation.

The nursing programs of Bryan College of Health Sciences include:

BSN
BSN to EdD
RN to MSN
MSN
DNP
Post Master Certificate

3. Nebraska Methodist College– Score: 72.86

NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.62%

In-State Annual Tuition: $17,940

Out-of-State Annual Tuition: $17,940

Among the top nursing and allied healthcare organizations in the country, Omaha’s Nebraska Methodist College provides 4 graduate, post-graduate, and certificate programs in nursing. The college offers courses in on-site, online, and hybrid modes as well. Moreover, it has a graduation rate of 77%.

Compared to most colleges on the list, fees for this college are reasonably priced. What’s more, the college has a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an 89% employment rate within 6 months. Students of the institution have given the school glowing reviews for their deep involvement in ensuring each student’s success.

Available nursing courses at Nebraska Methodist College are as follows:

BSN
MSN
DNP
Nursing Certificates

4. Clarkson College– Score: 67.14

NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.74%

In-State Annual Tuition: $18,960

Out-of-State Annual Tuition: $18,960

The first nursing school in Nebraska, Clarkson College has a legacy of 130 years of delivering top-notch nursing education. The college has an educational collaboration with Nebraska Medicine. With a graduation rate of 71%, Clarkson offers 6 graduate, post-graduate, diploma, and certificate courses.

Besides providing on-site learning programs, the college also offers courses online. The RN to BSN course is specifically designed to offer registered nurses the chance to advance their careers in the ever-changing field of medicine. In this course, students need to complete 3 full-time semesters and 6 part-time semesters.

The Higher Learning Commission accredited nursing college offers the below-mentioned courses:

BSN
RN to BSN
RN to MSN
MSN
BSN to DNP
Post Graduate Certificate

5. Creighton University– Score: 47.14

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.26%

In-State Annual Tuition: $44,524

Out-of-State Annual Tuition: $44,524

One of the best nursing schools in the nation, Creighton University has ranked among the top third national universities in U.S. News and World Report’s 2022 list. The university has also been cited as #13 for best undergraduate teaching. It offers 4 undergraduate, post-graduate, and certificate nursing courses, among which Creighton’s ABSN program is available in 6 specialties and has ranked among the top 50 programs by US news.

Creighton University offers the following nursing courses:

BSN
MSN
DNP
Post Graduate Certificate

6. College of Saint Mary– Score: 34.29

NCLEX Pass Rate: 86%

In-State Annual Tuition: $21,800

Out-of-State Annual Tuition: $21,800

One of the top nursing colleges for women, the College of Saint Mary has been ranked in the “Top 25 Best Value Colleges” in the nation for three consecutive years, according to the U.S. News & World Report. The college has a ranking of #64 among the regional universities in the midwest.

With the practical nursing certificate course, students can become licensed practical nurses in just one year. The BSN program provides students with every skill required for a collaborative healthcare environment through interprofessional experiences.

Nursing courses offered at the College of Saint Mary are as follows:

BSN
Practical Nursing Certificate

7. Nebraska Wesleyan University– Score: 31.43

NCLEX Pass Rate: 73.91%

In-State Annual Tuition: $38,898

Out-of-State Annual Tuition: $38,898

Nebraska Wesleyan University is ranked #24 in Regional Universities Midwest by U.S. News and World Reports 2022. Founded in 1887 in Lincoln, they offer 3 graduate and postgraduate nursing courses to their students—BSN, MSN, and RN to BSN. With a student-faculty ratio of 12:1, the university provides hands-on experience and personalized care to its students with a 3-day residency at the start of the curriculum.

They are committed to personalized care where they aim to create a sense of community. They’re also cultivating an environment of diversity and paying personal attention to each student as a unique individual as part of their core values.

Nebraska Wesleyan University offers the below-mentioned CCNE accredited nursing programs:

BSN
MSN
RN to BSN

How to choose the right nursing program

The field of nursing involves several different career pathways. While choosing the right college and nursing program for your career growth, you need to consider several factors like location, tuition cost, and the credibility of the school.. Here are some of the aspects you should keep in mind while sorting through nursing colleges.

Location

While there are several top-notch nursing schools in Nebraska, you should always consider the distance to school and clinics. Choose a college that is easy to commute to balance study and work efficiently. Don’t have time to commute daily to the campus? You can always opt for online or hybrid programs so that it’s easier for you to attend lessons even on a busy schedule.

Tuition

Affordability is one of the biggest concerns in the path of higher education. Always pay attention to the in-state and out-of-state tuition fees and see if it fits your budget before choosing a nursing school.

You can apply for federal loans through FAFSA to pay for your nursing degree. Many top nursing schools provide scholarships, work-study, and other financial aids to make higher education accessible to nurses. You can also look into student loan forgiveness programs if you already have student debt. For more information on how to get rid of your student debt, follow this guide.

NCLEX pass rate

To become a registered nurse, every nursing graduate needs to pass the NCLEX test. So review the NCLEX pass rate of the colleges you are considering enrolling in. This will give you an idea of whether the school offers the necessary tools and resources for preparation. The NCLEX pass rate reflects the school’s credibility in providing quality nursing education.

Programs offered

Choose a school that has fitting programs for your academic requirements. Besides the BSN programs that are offered by most nursing schools, look for advanced certificate courses if you want to upskill your educational background. Make sure the school’s programs align with your projected professional development.

Graduation rate

A college’s graduation rate has been one of the traditional measures to judge its track record. Review the stats on how many students graduated and how long it took them to complete the course. However, it is important to note that a college’s graduation rate is based on the number of students who lived on campus during the four years they attended school.

Nursing students nowadays might not fit into this category given the changing college models. Use your discretion before basing your decision on this statistic.

Next steps

Choosing the right school for a flourishing nursing career can be a tricky process. But don’t you worry! To make it easier for aspiring and ambitious nurses, Incredible Health has compiled guides and resources so that you can make the best choice.

The field of medicine is ever-changing, and keeping up with nursing education is not easy. However, if done right, choosing this career path might just prove to be amazingly rewarding for you.

After you graduate, looking for the right job may seem like a daunting task. We have got you covered there too! Incredible Health will help you kickstart your career with guides on license requirements, free CEUs, job opportunities, etc. Need more advice? Our platform has extensive Q&A and advice from experienced nurses.