Find Trade Colleges
2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Nebraska
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Nebraska? This list ranks 41 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Nebraska
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Southeast Community College Area tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Trade degree schools in Nebraska. Set in Lincoln, NE, Southeast Community College Area is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. The median Trade program debt is $14,935. Southeast Community College Area alumni report median earnings of $43,405 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,935 median debt. Read more about Southeast Community College Area
Out of the 15 schools in Nebraska in this year's value ranking, Metropolitan Community College Area landed the #2 spot. Set in Omaha, NE, Metropolitan Community College Area is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. The median Trade program debt is $12,799. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,773. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Metropolitan Community College Area profile
Out of the 15 schools in Nebraska in this year's value ranking, Central Community College landed the #3 spot. Set in Grand Island, NE, Central Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $10,277 to complete their Trade program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,429 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,277 median debt. See the full Central Community College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Community College earned it the #4 place in Nebraska. Located in Norfolk, NE, Northeast Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $5,130. Typical Trade student debt is $11,937. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,634. Set against $11,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northeast Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mid Plains Community College earned it the #5 place in Nebraska. This public school is set in North Platte, NE. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Mid Plains Community College Trade students take on a median of $14,596 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $40,059. That is a strong return on a $14,596 median debt. More on Mid Plains Community College
Bellevue University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Located in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,873. Graduates carry a median of $27,852 in student loans. Median earnings reach $61,289 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,852 median debt. See the full Bellevue University profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #7 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. Based in Lincoln, NE, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. University Of Nebraska Lincoln Trade students take on a median of $22,386 in debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln alumni report median earnings of $56,887 a decade after entry. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 88% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Wayne State College placed #8 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. Located in Wayne, NE, Wayne State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,171 in tuition and fees. Typical Trade student debt is $22,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,075. That is a strong return on a $22,974 median debt. Read the full report on Wayne State College
University Of Nebraska At Kearney offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Kearney, NE, University Of Nebraska At Kearney is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,564 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,484. Students borrow a median of $22,173 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,105. That is a strong return on a $22,173 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Kearney
University Of Nebraska At Omaha offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. University Of Nebraska At Omaha alumni report median earnings of $53,909 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
College Of Saint Mary ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. College Of Saint Mary is a private not-for-profit school based in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees run about $24,510. College Of Saint Mary Trade students take on a median of $25,539 in debt. Median earnings reach $54,338 ten years out. Set against $25,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. Get the full College Of Saint Mary report
Union College Nebraska landed the #12 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Located in Lincoln, NE, Union College Nebraska is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $29,334. Graduates carry a median of $30,938 in student loans. Union College Nebraska alumni report median earnings of $55,045 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $30,938 median debt. Union College Nebraska admits about 100% of applicants. Read the full report on Union College Nebraska
Nebraska Wesleyan University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Lincoln, NE, Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,572. Typical Trade student debt is $27,667. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,405. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nebraska Wesleyan University admits about 80% of applicants. Read more about Nebraska Wesleyan University
Midland University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Fremont, NE, Midland University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,050. The median Trade program debt is $27,536. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,163. That is a strong return on a $27,536 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%. Get the full Midland University report
Creighton University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Omaha, NE, Creighton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,856. Typical Trade student debt is $25,831. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,911. Set against $25,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Creighton University has an acceptance rate of 80%. Read more about Creighton University
College Of Hair Design Downtown placed #16 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. See the full College Of Hair Design Downtown profile
Concordia University Seward ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Concordia University Seward
Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health landed the #18 spot for value in Nebraska this year. See the full Nebraska Methodist College Of Nursing And Allied Health profile
Peru State College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Peru State College
Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics placed #20 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. More on Capitol School Of Hairstyling And Esthetics
Clarkson College
Clarkson College placed #21 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. Get the full Clarkson College report
Nebraska Indian Community College landed the #22 spot for value in Nebraska this year. More on Nebraska Indian Community College
Wisconsin Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner Group Pmts Lincoln landed the #23 spot for value in Nebraska this year. See the full Wisconsin Academy A Paul Mitchell Partner Group Pmts Lincoln profile
Alegent Health School Of Radiologic Technology came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Alegent Health School Of Radiologic Technology report
Universal College Of Healing Arts came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. More on Universal College Of Healing Arts
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Nebraska
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
York College Nebraska placed #26 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. Read more about York College Nebraska
Myotherapy Institute placed #27 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. Read more about Myotherapy Institute
Little Priest Tribal College ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. More on Little Priest Tribal College
Josephs College Cosmetology ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full Josephs College Cosmetology profile
University Of Nebraska Medical Center offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Medical Center
Bryan College Of Health Sciences ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Bryan College Of Health Sciences report
University Of Nebraska Central Administration System Office offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska Central Administration System Office
Xenon International Academy Omaha ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Xenon International Academy Omaha
Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture placed #34 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. More on Nebraska College Of Technical Agriculture
Summit Christian College came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. More on Summit Christian College
Hastings College
Hastings College landed the #36 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Get the full Hastings College report
Western Nebraska Community College placed #37 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. Read more about Western Nebraska Community College
College Of Hair Design East Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. See the full College Of Hair Design East Campus profile
Ricketts Great Books College placed #39 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. Read more about Ricketts Great Books College
Chadron State College landed the #40 spot for value in Nebraska this year. Get the full Chadron State College report
Doane College Crete placed #41 among the best-value Trade schools in Nebraska. More on Doane College Crete
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 15 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.