Best Online Colleges in Nebraska

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) was founded in 1908 as a private, coeducational college by the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Omaha. In 1930, it became the state’s first municipal university. UNO offers extensive support and many opportunities for students who want to earn their degrees either fully online or in a blended format. There are over 50 online programs available for bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate candidates. Fields of study include sociology, public administration, religious studies, and gerontology. UNO’s online courses are available anytime via the University of Nebraska’s online learning system, and they are taught by the same faculty who teach on campus.

Clarkson College opened in 1888 as Nebraska’s first school of nursing. Today, the college trains healthcare professionals in a variety of specializations, including nursing, health care education and leadership, medical imaging, and health care business management. About 90 percent of Clarkson College students enroll in at least one online course each semester. A number of their online degree programs may be completed fully online, including the popular RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN degrees. Additionally, healthcare professionals can turn to Clarkson College to fulfill continuing education requirements. Online coursework is administered via the Canvas learning platform.

Founded in 1966, Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit institution offering more than 80 academic programs. Almost all of those are available entirely online, including degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Fields of study include communication, computer information systems, business, healthcare, and education. To access coursework, online students log into the university’s Cyber-Active® Online Classroom, through which they can attend classes and lectures asynchronously (at any time), meet and interact with other students, discuss lessons with instructors, submit work electronically, conduct research using the online library, and receive support from services like the Writing Center and the Tutoring and Study Skills Center.

The University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) first opened in 1905 as a “normal school,” or an institution that trained people who had completed eighth grade to become teachers. Since then, it has grown into a university offering more than 170 academic programs, more than 50 of which are available online. Bachelor's, master's, and certificate programs are offered in subjects such as education, history, sociology, business administration, and biology. Online students access their coursework asynchronously via the Canvas learning platform, but instructors make themselves available for extensive personal interaction and attention. Students should expect to dedicate between nine and 12 hours per week to each three-credit-hour course and complete scheduled evaluations based on instructor deadlines. Some evaluations can be completed from any location, while others may take place at a proctored location, depending on course requirements.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is Nebraska’s only public academic health sciences center, comprising six colleges—medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, public health, and allied health professions. Many UNMC courses and degree programs can be completed online, including a master's of public health (MPH) degree. The College of Allied Health Professions also offers customizable online degree advancement options designed for working healthcare professionals to earn advanced degrees in fields such as medical laboratory science and perfusion science. Coursework is administered primarily via the Canvas learning management system. Some evaluations may take place at a proctored location.

Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) is a private health professions institution that specializes in educating nurses and other health professionals. Registered nurses may earn bachelor's degrees in nursing via NMC’s entirely online RN-to-BSN program, which can usually be completed within seven semesters. There are also RN-to-MSN programs, MSN programs, and healthcare programs, and healthcare professionals can also look to NMC to earn continuing education credit. Some of NMC’s online programs involve weekly virtual class meetings, while other programs make it possible for students to study at their convenience. All online classes are taught through MyMethodist, an online portal for NMC students.

First established in 1867 as a teacher training school, Peru State College (PSC) was Nebraska’s first college. About one-quarter of the college’s undergraduate programs and both of the college’s two master’s programs are available online, with coursework administered via the Blackboard learning management system. Fields of study include business administration, education, criminal justice, and psychology. Each online course includes the same content as its on-campus counterpart; the only difference in the content is the delivery method. Online students may register for eight-week or 16-week course periods in order to learn at the pace that works best for them. Students with relevant prior vocational training, life experience, or other extra-institutional education may also be able to apply up to 66 semester hours toward their degrees in order to complete their program sooner.

Founded in 1911, Chadron State College is a publicly supported, open-enrollment institution offering programs of study for bachelor’s and master’s candidates. Many of their programs can be completed fully online, and some can be completed partially online. Degrees are offered in fields including business administration, education, organizational management, and technical occupations. To accelerate online learners’ progress, online courses are offered in eight-week term periods and administered asynchronously, meaning students can attend courses and complete coursework at any time within the broader time frame. Required materials include online videos and assignments as well as textbooks. There is no difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition for online students at CSC.

Wayne State College (WSC) opened as a teachers’ college in 1891, and although it has expanded to offer a variety of degree programs, it has remained an important part of Nebraska’s educational community: one in 10 Nebraska teachers holds a degree from WSC. Online programs at WSC include certificate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs. These offerings include an MBA program as well as master’s programs in several educational fields, including math education, early childhood education, and industrial technology education.

The Bryan College of Health Sciences (BCHS), located in Nebraska’s capital city of Lincoln, offers undergraduate degrees in nursing and health sciences- respiratory therapy. A fully online RN-to-BSN program is available for students with their associate degree or diploma in nursing. The program, which was designed with working nurses in mind, can be completed in 12 months. Certificate programs are also offered online in simulation education and healthcare management. Distance learners are provided with student support and academic resources, 24/7 technical support, and one-on-one interactions with instructors and peers.

Midland University, founded in 1883, is a private, nonprofit liberal arts institution with the stated mission of “working from the marketplace back” to produce employable graduates. Although most of its course offerings are concentrated on campus, Midland University has one specialized fully online degree program designed for registered nurses: the RN-to-BSN (Bachelor of Science in nursing) program. Students can complete this program in as little as one year. The courses are offered within either six-week or eight-week term periods, and community-based projects, as well as clinical experiences, are incorporated into the program. An endorsement in high ability learner is also offered online. Class terms begin in January, May, and August each year.