Best RN Programs in Nebraska: 2026 Rankings and Cost Guide
The best RN programs in Nebraska span a wide range of costs and outcomes, and picking the wrong one is an expensive mistake. This ranking covers six accredited BSN programs in the state, scored on graduation rates, cost, selectivity, and outcomes using IPEDS and BLS data. In-state tuition across the ranked set runs from $16,104 at Clarkson College to $46,800 at Creighton University. The average graduation rate across all six programs is 62 percent, but individual programs range from 47 to 83 percent. Those numbers matter more than any school's marketing language.
Nebraska does not have a large public university BSN program in this ranked set. Every school here is a private nonprofit, which means tuition runs higher than you might expect if you were comparing against, say, a University of Nebraska system option. The best value among the ranked programs is Clarkson College at $16,104, which also holds national accreditation. Creighton University sits at the top of the Hakia Score at 86.9, with an 83 percent graduation rate, but its $46,800 sticker price is real and needs to factor into any decision. There is no single right answer. The right RN program in Nebraska depends on what you can afford, how quickly you need to finish, and whether you want traditional or accelerated tracks.
This guide walks through what RN programs cost and what you get for the money, how NCLEX licensure works, why accreditation matters before you pay a dollar, and the honest tradeoffs between an ADN and a BSN. All data is sourced from IPEDS and the BLS. No school paid for placement here.
Key Takeaways on the Best RN Programs in Nebraska
- Six accredited BSN programs were ranked. In-state tuition runs from $16,104 (Clarkson College) to $46,800 (Creighton University), a $30,696 spread that makes school selection a major financial decision.
- Graduation rates across the six programs average 62 percent but range from 47 to 83 percent. Creighton University leads at 83 percent, meaning most students who start actually finish.
- The national BLS median salary for registered nurses is $97,550 per year. All RN programs in Nebraska train toward the same licensure and the same national labor market.
- Every program in this ranking holds either CCNE or ACEN national accreditation. Enrolling in a program without one of these credentials puts your NCLEX eligibility and future employer acceptance at risk.
- The top Hakia Score in Nebraska is 86.9 (Creighton University). The lowest-cost program with full accreditation is Clarkson College at $16,104, scoring 71.8. Both are legitimate options depending on your budget and priorities.
- All six ranked programs are private nonprofit institutions. Nebraska students comparing these RN programs against out-of-state public universities should weigh cost carefully before committing.
Programs are ranked using the Hakia Score, a composite built from graduation rate, admissions selectivity, cost, and student outcomes. All data comes from IPEDS and BLS wage data for registered nurses. No school paid for placement. No reputation surveys were used.
The 6 Best RN Programs in Nebraska, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE · online option | nonprofit | $46,800 | 83% | 80% | 86.9 |
| 2 | College of Saint MaryOmaha, NE | nonprofit | $24,510 | 61% | 45% | 81.9 |
| 3 | Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied HealthOmaha, NE | nonprofit | $17,633 | 60% | 73% | 79.6 |
| 4 | Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityLincoln, NE · online option | nonprofit | $42,274 | 66% | 80% | 75.9 |
| 5 | Clarkson CollegeOmaha, NE | nonprofit | $16,104 | 47% | 78% | 71.8 |
| 6 | Union Adventist UniversityLincoln, NE | nonprofit | $27,984 | 52% | 100% | 61.7 |
RN Programs in Nebraska, Compared by Score
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
The Top RN Programs in Nebraska, Program by Program
Creighton University
Omaha, NE · nonprofit · online option
Direct freshman entry and 1,000 clinical hours across six specialties put Creighton's BSN among Nebraska's most structured four-year pathways, backed by a Hakia Score of 86.9.
- Hakia Score 86.9 (Nebraska #1)
- 83% graduation rate
- 1,000 clinical hours across 6 specialties
- Direct freshman nursing entry, no second application
Creighton University's BSN is a direct-entry program: students admitted to Creighton are simultaneously admitted to the College of Nursing and begin nursing coursework as freshmen, with no secondary application required. The 128-credit, four-year curriculum culminates in 1,000 clinical hours spanning six specialties (community and population health, critical care, labor and delivery/obstetrics, medical-surgical, pediatrics, and psychiatric/mental health), plus a guaranteed 224-hour preceptorship paired with a bachelor's-prepared nurse. The program also offers a BridgeBSN+ track for students who want to combine a Bachelor of Science in Paramedicine and Nursing in 4.5 years. The scraped program page reports a 96% NCLEX pass rate over the past three years and states that nearly 99% of graduates are employed, pursuing advanced studies, or in a service program within six months.
At a Hakia Score of 86.9, Creighton ranks first among Nebraska BSN programs in this index. The 83% graduation rate is the strongest of the four schools compared here. With an 80% admit rate, the program is selective without being a reach for well-prepared applicants. Tuition runs $46,800 per year (same for all students, as there is no public in-state rate), making it the highest-cost option on this list. That price is offset by the faith-based Jesuit institution's merit aid and the structural advantage of locking in a nursing seat on day one. Students who value guaranteed program entry and a dense, specialty-rich clinical sequence will find the cost tradeoff most defensible here.
College of Saint Mary
Omaha, NE · nonprofit
With only a 45% admit rate and an LPN-to-BSN track layered onto a women's liberal arts foundation, College of Saint Mary is Nebraska's most selective nursing program in this group, earning a Hakia Score of 81.9.
- Hakia Score 81.9 (Nebraska #2)
- 45% admit rate (most selective on this list)
- $24,510 tuition (no in/out differential)
- LPN-to-BSN track available
College of Saint Mary offers a traditional on-campus BSN (123 credits, four years) rooted in the Sisters of Mercy tradition. The program starts fall or spring, and select courses are available online for added scheduling flexibility. Students formally enter the nursing program in their second year after completing 24 prerequisite credits in science, math, and English. The college also provides an LPN-to-BSN track for licensed practical nurses seeking degree completion. Curriculum highlights cited on the program page include coursework in pharmacology and health assessment, simulation labs designed for high-acuity scenarios, and clinical placements across hospitals, community agencies, and specialty settings. Every admitted full-time undergraduate student is guaranteed a merit scholarship according to the school's page.
A Hakia Score of 81.9 places CSM second in Nebraska. The 45% admit rate makes this the most selective program among the four listed here, signaling a competitive applicant pool and rigorous standards. The 61% graduation rate, however, is the lowest of the four schools and is worth weighing honestly: fewer than two in three students who start the program finish it. Tuition is $24,510 per year for all students. At roughly half the cost of Creighton with a competitive admissions bar, CSM fits students who want a smaller cohort (enrollment: 786 total), mission-driven environment, and structured clinical immersion from the first semesters, and who go in eyes open about the completion rate.
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Omaha, NE · nonprofit
Nebraska Methodist College's CCNE-accredited BSN is the most affordable private-school option on this list at $17,633 per year, and it sits inside a full nursing ecosystem that spans ADN through DNP.
- Hakia Score 79.6
- $17,633 tuition (lowest private cost on this list)
- CCNE-accredited BSN program
- Full nursing ladder: BSN through DNP on one campus
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing and Allied Health offers a traditional four-year, on-campus BSN that the program page confirms is CCNE-accredited. The curriculum is structured as three semesters of foundational coursework followed by five semesters of nursing techniques and hands-on clinical sessions; science prerequisites include chemistry, anatomy, and microbiology. NMC's nursing ladder is unusually complete: the same institution also offers an Accelerated BSN, an LPN-to-BSN bridge, an RN-to-BSN completion track, multiple MSN concentrations, and DNP pathways, so students who start at the traditional BSN level have clear upward mobility without changing schools. The college was established in 1891 in collaboration with the Nebraska Methodist Health System.
NMC earns a Hakia Score of 79.6, third among Nebraska programs here. The 60% graduation rate is nearly identical to CSM's, so the same honest caveat applies: four in ten starters do not finish. The 73% admit rate means most applicants gain entry, making this a realistic target for students who may not have a 3.0+ high school GPA but show potential. At $17,633 per year (uniform for all students), NMC is the lowest-cost private program in this comparison by a meaningful margin. For students who want a nursing-specialist institution, CCNE accreditation, and a clear path from BSN to advanced practice all under one roof, without a $25,000-$47,000 annual tuition bill, NMC is the straightforward choice.
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE · nonprofit · online option
Nebraska Wesleyan's BSN builds in an NCLEX prep course and 900-plus clinical hours within a small-cohort liberal arts setting, earning a Hakia Score of 75.9.
- Hakia Score 75.9
- 66% graduation rate
- 900+ clinical hours with simulation lab access
- Built-in NCLEX prep course
Nebraska Wesleyan University offers a traditional four-year BSN in Lincoln that pairs clinical and foundational nursing knowledge with liberal arts coursework for a broader undergraduate education. Students complete over 900 clinical hours before graduation through a combination of clinical rotations, preceptorship experiences, a fully equipped skills lab, and a simulation lab integrated into clinical coursework. The program explicitly builds an NCLEX prep course into the curriculum. Class sizes are small and faculty cover all specialty areas of nursing, according to the program page. NWU also offers an MSN program for graduates who want to continue.
NWU scores 75.9 on the Hakia index, fourth among these Nebraska programs. The 66% graduation rate sits between Creighton (83%) and the two Omaha schools (60-61%). The 80% admit rate mirrors Creighton's, keeping entry accessible. Tuition is $42,274 per year for all students, making NWU the second most expensive option on this list and only about $4,500 less than Creighton annually. That gap is worth comparing against each school's outcomes: Creighton's 83% graduation rate is 17 points higher at a modestly higher price. NWU's strongest argument is the Lincoln location, the liberal arts context, and the small-cohort environment for students who want a university atmosphere outside Omaha.
Clarkson College
Omaha, NE · nonprofit
Nebraska's original nursing school reports a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate for its BSN graduates.
- 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate (BSN, per program page)
- $16,104 flat tuition (no out-of-state premium)
- Hakia Score 71.8 (#5 in Nebraska)
- Traditional BSN + LPN-to-BSN + RN-to-BSN tracks
Clarkson College, founded in 1888 as Nebraska's first school of nursing, offers a traditional BSN as its flagship degree alongside LPN-to-BSN and RN-to-BSN completion pathways. The traditional BSN runs six semesters full-time (or eleven part-time under rolling admissions), combining science and humanities foundations with coursework in critical thinking, family-centered care, leadership, and therapeutic interventions. Small class sizes are a stated design choice, and students train in an on-campus skills lab and simulation lab before moving into clinical rotations across a variety of healthcare settings. The program page reports 97% first-time board pass rates for BSN NCLEX candidates.
The numbers tell a balanced story. Clarkson's 78% admit rate means most qualified applicants get in, but the 47% graduation rate signals that completing the program takes real commitment. Tuition is $16,104 per year for all students, private-nonprofit pricing with no in-state/out-of-state split. At a Hakia Score of 71.8, Clarkson ranks fifth among Nebraska BSN programs in this index, reflecting competitive outcomes against cost. This program fits career-changers or students who want a focused, health-sciences-only campus environment with a long institutional track record in nursing specifically.
The college operates entirely within healthcare education, with nine fields and twenty majors all oriented toward clinical practice. That narrow focus shapes the culture: faculty are described as experienced clinicians, not generalist academics. For a student who wants a nursing-centric environment in Omaha, Clarkson offers a concrete, documented path from enrollment to licensure. National BLS data pegs the median wage for registered nurses at $97,550 annually, providing context for the return on that $16,104 yearly tuition.
Union Adventist University
Lincoln, NE · nonprofit
Union Adventist University's 2024 BSN cohort posted a 97.06% first-time NCLEX pass rate, well above Nebraska and national averages per the program page.
- 97.06% first-time NCLEX pass rate for May 2024 graduates
- 900+ clinical hours across Lincoln hospital systems
- CCNE-accredited BSN + LPN/RN-to-BSN completion track
- Hakia Score 61.7 (#6 in Nebraska)
Union Adventist University in Lincoln offers a four-year BSN rooted in Seventh-day Adventist values, with a curriculum centered on wholeness, Christian service, and holistic patient care. First-time freshmen complete prerequisites, general education, and nursing courses across four years. Transfer students with general education credits done can finish the nursing sequence in approximately four semesters, a one-semester acceleration introduced for Fall 2025. The program also provides a BSN Completion track for LPNs and RNs. The baccalaureate program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and approved by the Nebraska State Board of Nursing. Nursing majors may be invited to join Sigma Theta Tau, the international nursing honor society.
Union admits 100% of applicants, so the barrier to entry is completing prerequisites and demonstrating fit through the holistic application process rather than selective cutoffs. Once enrolled, 52% of students graduate, which prospective students should weigh honestly. The program admits cohorts of approximately 30 students each semester. Clinical hours total more than 900 across Lincoln's major hospital systems plus specialized rotations and simulation center work. Tuition sits at $27,984 per year with no in-state differential, reflecting private-nonprofit pricing. At a Hakia Score of 61.7, Union ranks sixth among Nebraska programs in this index. BLS wage data places the national median for registered nurses at $97,550 per year.
Founded in 1896, Union's nursing program is the oldest BSN program in Nebraska and among all Adventist institutions. The program's published first-time NCLEX pass rates from 2021 through 2024 are 97.5%, 83.78%, 89.66%, and 97.06%, showing variability across cohorts alongside recent recovery. Students who want a values-integrated, faith-based nursing education in a small-cohort setting, and who have transfer credits to accelerate the path, will find the most specific fit here.
What RN Programs in Nebraska Actually Cost
Tuition for RN programs in Nebraska ranges from $16,104 to $46,800 per year depending on the school, and understanding that range matters before you apply anywhere. Clarkson College at $16,104 is the lowest-cost accredited option in the ranked set. Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing comes in next at $17,633. Both are private nonprofit schools, which is notable: neither offers the in-state public-university pricing you might find in other states. If cost is your primary constraint, those two programs deserve serious attention before moving up the price ladder.
At the top end, Creighton University charges $46,800 and posts the highest graduation rate in Nebraska at 83 percent and the highest Hakia Score at 86.9. Nebraska Wesleyan University is close at $42,274 with a 66 percent graduation rate and a score of 75.9. The math on these programs depends heavily on financial aid, scholarships, and whether you can complete in four years. A $46,800 annual tuition that leads to an 83 percent graduation rate and a fast path to licensure may be a better deal than a cheaper program with a 47 percent graduation rate that takes an extra year to finish.
The salary context: the BLS reports a national median of $97,550 per year for registered nurses. That figure applies equally to graduates of every program on this list. What differs is how much debt you carry getting there. RN programs with lower graduation rates effectively raise your real cost by increasing the probability you'll need extra semesters or won't finish at all. Factor that in alongside the sticker price.
Licensure and the NCLEX-RN
Every graduate of an RN program in Nebraska, regardless of school, must pass the NCLEX-RN administered by the NCSBN before practicing as a registered nurse. There is no licensing shortcut and no employer exception. The NCLEX-RN is an adaptive computer exam that tests clinical judgment across patient care situations. It replaced the older fixed-length format with the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) in 2023, adding more complex case-study and clinical judgment items.
When evaluating RN programs in Nebraska, ask every school for their most recent first-attempt NCLEX pass rate. A good program should be at or above 85 percent on first attempt. National averages for US-educated candidates in recent years run roughly 82 to 88 percent. Programs that hedge this question or only provide multi-attempt rates are worth scrutinizing. First-attempt pass rate is the cleanest signal that a program's curriculum actually prepares students for licensure, not just graduation.
Nebraska uses the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means a license earned in Nebraska is valid in other compact states. If you plan to work across state lines or relocate after completing your RN program, that portability is a real practical benefit. Confirm the compact status of any state you're considering working in before making relocation plans.
CCNE vs ACEN: Why Accreditation Comes First
Before evaluating cost, graduation rate, or anything else about RN programs, confirm accreditation. The two national nursing accreditors are CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) and ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). All six programs in this Nebraska ranking hold one of these credentials. CCNE operates under the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and focuses on baccalaureate and graduate programs. ACEN covers the full range from practical nursing through doctoral level and is common among ADN and diploma programs as well as BSN programs.
Why it matters: employers, especially hospitals pursuing or holding Magnet recognition, commonly require graduates from CCNE- or ACEN-accredited nursing programs. Graduate school admissions for advanced practice nursing (nurse practitioner, CRNA, DNP) typically require a BSN from an accredited program. And some state boards reference national accreditation status as part of their program approval criteria. An unaccredited nursing school may technically allow you to sit for the NCLEX in some states, but the downstream risk to your career is not worth the cost savings. Accreditation is the floor, not the ceiling.
Both CCNE and ACEN conduct site visits, review curriculum, and require programs to demonstrate student outcome standards including graduation rates and NCLEX pass rates. A school that lost or voluntarily withdrew from accreditation should be treated as a red flag regardless of its marketing materials.
ADN vs BSN: The Honest Tradeoff for Nebraska Nursing Students
An ADN gets you to the NCLEX in roughly two years and typically costs less than a four-year BSN. You graduate as a licensed RN and can begin earning while your BSN counterparts are still in clinical rotations. That is a real advantage. But the nursing labor market has shifted, and the ADN-to-BSN gap has real consequences in Nebraska as in most states.
Hospital systems that pursue or hold Magnet designation, a credential from the American Nurses Credentialing Center that signals quality nursing care, require a specific percentage of their nursing staff to hold a BSN or higher. Many Nebraska hospitals actively prefer BSN-prepared nurses for hire and build BSN completion requirements into employment contracts for ADN-prepared new grads. The Institute of Medicine's Future of Nursing report has pushed the field toward 80 percent BSN-prepared nurses for years, and that pressure has only increased.
The six RN programs in this Nebraska ranking are all BSN programs. If you earn an ADN first, you will very likely need to complete an RN-to-BSN program within two to three years of hiring. Several schools offer online RN-to-BSN completion paths, which we cover in the next section. The question is whether the faster, cheaper ADN route actually saves money when you add the cost and time of an RN-to-BSN program afterward. For many students, entering a BSN program directly is the cleaner path even if it takes longer upfront.
Online RN Programs and Accelerated BSN Options in Nebraska
Online RN programs in Nebraska come in two main forms: RN-to-BSN completion programs for already-licensed nurses, and hybrid BSN programs that mix online coursework with local clinical placements. A fully online pre-licensure BSN that leads to the NCLEX is rare and requires careful scrutiny of clinical placement support before enrolling. Most programs marketed as online BSN programs for pre-licensure students still require significant in-person clinical hours.
Accelerated BSN programs, often called ABSN or second-degree BSN programs, are designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. These programs compress the nursing curriculum into 12 to 18 months of intensive full-time study. Several schools in the Nebraska ranked set offer accelerated tracks, and the coursework moves fast. Clinical hours are the same as a traditional BSN; the compression happens in the didactic coursework. ABSN students typically cannot work full-time during the program, which is a financial reality to plan for before enrolling.
Online RN-to-BSN programs are the most mature and widely accepted online format. If you are already a licensed RN with an ADN, an online RN-to-BSN from an accredited school is respected by employers and opens the same doors as a traditional on-campus BSN. Look for CCNE or ACEN accreditation, a reasonable clinical hour burden, and a graduation rate the school will share openly. The same data standards that apply to traditional BSN programs apply here: if a school won't tell you their completion rate, that is an answer in itself.
RN Career Outlook and What Your BSN Opens Up
Registered nurses holding a BSN from one of Nebraska's accredited RN programs enter a labor market with genuine demand. The BLS projects 6 percent growth in registered nurse employment through 2033, adding roughly 177,000 new RN positions nationally. That growth is driven by an aging population, retirements among existing nurses, and ongoing nursing shortages in rural areas, which includes significant portions of Nebraska outside Omaha and Lincoln.
The national median wage for registered nurses is $97,550 per year across all settings. This number is the same national benchmark for every graduate of every RN program in Nebraska. What varies is setting: hospital RNs in intensive care or OR roles typically earn more than outpatient or school nursing positions. Experience and specialty certification (CCRN, CEN, ONC, and others) move salaries higher over time. A BSN is required or strongly preferred for most specialty certifications and for any nursing leadership role.
Nebraska-specific salaries tend to run below the national median given lower regional cost of living, but the Omaha metropolitan area is competitive with midwestern metro markets. Graduates of Nebraska RN programs who pursue advanced practice nursing (NP, CRNA, CNM, CNS) will need a master's or doctoral degree. The BSN is the gateway, not the ceiling. Choosing a strong accredited program with a high graduation rate is how you keep that ceiling high.
Common Questions About RN Programs in Nebraska
How long do RN programs in Nebraska take to complete?
How much do RN programs in Nebraska cost?
What NCLEX pass rate is considered good?
Is an online BSN degree respected by employers?
What is the difference between CCNE and ACEN accreditation?
Should I get an ADN or a BSN in Nebraska?
What is the average RN salary in Nebraska?
Do I need to be accredited to sit for the NCLEX in Nebraska?
Our Methodology for Ranking RN Programs in Nebraska
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many community colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: clinical placement quality, NCLEX pass rates, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.