First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the Nebraska programs with published results run from about 81% to 88%, a narrow spread. That makes school name and sticker price weak predictors of who passes. Creighton's BSN leads on that measure, yet the community college associate programs trail it by only a few points, at a fraction of the net price.
The practical question is which program gets you through the exam on the first attempt, because a retake delays licensure and your first RN paycheck. ADN vs BSN programs are ranked together here, led mainly by NCLEX-RN performance. Nebraska licenses graduates of both through the same exam, so the choice turns on timeline and budget as much as on reputation.
Best Nursing Schools in Nebraska for 2027, Ranked by NCLEX-RN Results
Every program below earned its spot on the strength of how its graduates perform on licensure day. Nebraska's ADN and BSN options range from small community college cohorts in the Panhandle to direct-entry university programs in Omaha, and they differ sharply in first-time NCLEX-RN results, admission requirements, and cost. Use the entries that follow to compare degree level, format, and price against what you need as a student.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and completion rates
- Retention and student progression
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Pass rates weighted by test-takers
- Accreditation and state board approval
- Limited weight on cohort size
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Original research on individual programs
- In-house program catalog data
Mid-Plains Community College
#1North Platte, NE · ~$5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: North Platte-area students wanting a hybrid ADN
Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte runs its ADN in a hybrid format, blending campus coursework with clinical rotations at area hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community clinics. Graduates have posted a 97.5% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, and the program leans on a concept-based curriculum with simulation labs, while licensed practical nurses can enter through advanced placement. Admission is rolling with a fall start, and the school's graduation rate is about 54%, with an institution-wide net price near $5,235.
- Hybrid delivery combining campus coursework and clinicals
- 3.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses and ACT entrance exam
- Two letters of recommendation required with the application
- Rolling admissions with a fall start
- Concept-based curriculum with state-of-the-art simulation labs
- Clinicals in local hospitals, long-term care, and community clinics
- LPN advanced placement available for licensed practical nurses
- Mandatory summer orientation and laptop required for the program
Northeast Community College
#2Norfolk, NE · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Working adults who need a part-time ADN
Northeast Community College in Norfolk offers an ACEN-accredited ADN whose graduates have cleared the NCLEX-RN at a 95.8% first-time rate. Working students can choose a part-time track that extends the program by a year, roughly 60 students are admitted each fall, and nursing students have a regional link to UNMC's Northern Division through a pre-professional BSN pathway. The school's graduation rate is about 56%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $8,544.
- ACEN accredited associate degree program
- TEAS Version 7 entrance exam required for admission
- Full-time and part-time options, part-time extends the program a year
- Application deadline February 1 for the fall start
- High-fidelity simulation labs with mannequins
- Clinicals in local hospitals, long-term care, and community settings
- Pre-professional BSN pathway with UNMC's Northern Division in Norfolk
- Nebraska and border-state residents pay the resident tuition rate
Western Nebraska Community College
#3Scottsbluff, NE · ~$5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Panhandle residents staying close to home
Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff teaches its four-semester ADN across all three campuses, with clinical rotations scheduled days, evenings, and occasionally weekends in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings. Admission is selective with a fall start, and graduates can transfer into a BSN program or move straight into practice after licensure. The school's graduation rate is about 37%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $5,474.
- Four-semester nursing sequence following general education prerequisites
- Selective admission with a fall class start
- Offered on all three WNCC campuses
- Clinical rotations run days, evenings, and sometimes weekends
- Program materials cite ACEN accreditation
- Prepares students for NCLEX-RN eligibility after graduation
- Transfer pathway into BSN programs
- Background checks required before clinical placement
Southeast Community College Area
#4Lincoln, NE · $9,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 90.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Southeast Community College delivers its ADN in Lincoln and Beatrice, with a full-time four-term path or an eight-term part-time option and total program tuition of about $8,573. Students complete 518 clinical hours arranged by a coordinator, usually starting in the second term, and an LPN to ADN bridge serves licensed practical nurses. The school's graduation rate is about 38%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $9,171.
- Total program tuition of about $8,573
- Four terms full-time or eight terms part-time
- Fall and spring start terms
- 518 clinical hours arranged by a clinical coordinator
- Clinicals begin in the second term, one to three days per week
- Locations in Beatrice and Lincoln
- LPN to ADN bridge for licensed practical nurses
- Graduates eligible for multi-state RN licensure
Creighton University
#5Omaha, NE · $30,000 – $35,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 88%
Creighton University's direct-entry BSN in Omaha starts nursing coursework in the freshman year and pairs a Jesuit curriculum with more than 1,000 clinical hours across six specialty areas, plus a guaranteed preceptorship. The CCNE-accredited program reports a 96% first-time licensure pass rate and does not admit transfer students, so applicants should plan on the four-year path from the start. A 2026 partnership with Children's Nebraska funds 40 full-tuition scholarships for accelerated BSN students who commit to two years at the hospital, and a Concordia University Nebraska 3+1 pathway feeds into that accelerated track. The school's graduation rate is about 83%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $31,568.
- CCNE accredited direct-entry program for freshmen
- 128 credit hours across four years
- No entrance exam required and test optional
- 96% first-time licensure pass rate
- 1,000 clinical hours across six specialty areas
- Guaranteed preceptorship of 224 hours
- Study abroad for a semester without delaying graduation
- Does not admit transfer students
Central Community College
#6Grand Island, NE · ~$7,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 87.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Central Community College's ADN is built as a career ladder: students earn a practical nursing diploma after the first year, can sit for the NCLEX-PN, then continue to the RN credential and the NCLEX-RN, with recent pass rates near 93%. The hybrid program is ACEN accredited and taught at the Columbus, Grand Island, and Kearney campuses, blending classroom and lab work with clinical time in real hospitals. A transfer pathway into a BSN is available for graduates who want to keep going, and the school's graduation rate is about 48%, with an institution-wide net price near $7,024.
- ACEN accredited, offered at Columbus, Grand Island, and Kearney
- Two-year program with a 93% licensure pass rate
- Earn a practical nursing diploma after the first year
- LPN diploma holders can sit for the NCLEX-PN before continuing
- TEAS exam required for admission
- Transfer pathway to BSN programs
- Classroom, lab, and clinical training in real hospitals
Bryan College of Health Sciences
#7Lincoln, NE · $25,000 – $30,000/yr (est.)
Bryan College of Health Sciences in Lincoln pairs small classes with a 1:7 faculty-to-student ratio in clinicals and more than 1,000 clinical hours, and its BSN graduates have posted a 100% licensure pass rate. The program runs at Lincoln and Hastings campuses with spring and fall starts, and an accelerated 12-month option serves students who already hold a bachelor's degree. The Bryan Nursing Access Program covers tuition for two years, and program materials cite new-graduate starting pay of $34 to $41 per hour. The school's graduation rate is 70%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $26,919.
- 100% licensure pass rate reported
- 1,000 clinical hours with small class sizes
- 1:7 faculty-to-student ratio in clinicals
- Skills labs and simulation center
- Campuses in Lincoln and Hastings
- Spring and fall start terms
- Free tuition for two years through the Bryan Nursing Access Program
- Program materials cite new-graduate pay of $34 to $41 per hour
- 12-month full-time accelerated track
- Fall start
- 1,000 clinical hours
- Prerequisite courses required
- Complimentary transcript evaluation for applicants
Nebraska Wesleyan University
#8Lincoln, NE · ~$18,000/yr (est.)
Nebraska Wesleyan University's CCNE-accredited BSN in Lincoln covers medical-surgical, mental health, women's and children's health, and community nursing, along with a capstone internship, a required global health course, and a dedicated NCLEX-RN preparation course. Students must earn a C+ or better in every nursing course, and the liberal arts Archway Curriculum runs alongside the major. The most recent published per-credit BSN rate is $376 for 2023-24, and the university has not published an updated figure. The school's graduation rate is about 66%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $18,327.
- CCNE accredited traditional BSN
- C+ or better required in all nursing courses
- Capstone internship required
- Global health course required
- Leadership and issues in nursing course included
- Dedicated NCLEX-RN preparation course
- Pathophysiology and pharmacology coursework for BSN students
- Integrated with the university's Archway liberal arts curriculum
Nebraska Methodist College
#9Omaha, NE · ~$22,000/yr (est.)
Nebraska Methodist College in Omaha offers a CCNE-accredited BSN of 127 credit hours, with a senior preceptorship at major Omaha health systems and clinical training that emphasizes population health across hospitals, clinics, community outreach, and hospice. Students train in a simulation lab, no CNA credential is required for admission, and a Spanish minor is available. The program reports a 93.3% NCLEX pass rate in 2024 and 96% job placement within six months of graduation, with rolling admissions and a 2.5 GPA minimum. The school's graduation rate is about 60%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $21,863.
- CCNE accredited, 127 credit hours
- $623 per credit
- 93.3% NCLEX pass rate in 2024
- 96% job placement within six months of graduation
- Rolling admissions with a 2.5 GPA minimum
- Senior preceptorship with RNs at major Omaha hospitals
- Clinical training in hospitals, clinics, community outreach, and hospice
- No CNA prerequisite and a Spanish minor available
College of Saint Mary
#10Omaha, NE · $17,000/yr (est. net price)
College of Saint Mary in Omaha puts students in clinical settings from the first semester and reports a 97.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate with 100% job placement within six months. The 123-credit BSN follows a Mercy Core ethics curriculum with advanced simulation labs, and every admitted full-time student receives a merit scholarship. An LPN to BSN track gives licensed practical nurses credit for their experience and can be completed largely on campus with selected online classes. The school's graduation rate is about 61%, and the institution-wide net price is roughly $16,590.
- 123 credit hours over four years
- Early clinical immersion beginning in the first semester
- Advanced simulation labs mirroring patient scenarios
- 97.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate reported
- 100% job placement within six months reported
- Rolling admissions with fall and spring starts
- 3.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- Merit scholarship for every admitted full-time student
- 122 credit hours with credit for LPN experience
- On-campus program with selected online classes
- Rolling admissions with fall and spring starts
- 3.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- More than 100 years of nursing education at the college
- Mercy Core ethics curriculum
Why First-Time NCLEX-RN Scores Carry Most of the Weight in Our List
Nebraska's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate dipped in 2025 after two years near 95 percent, a reminder that even a strong state can shift quickly. NCSBN data put Nebraska at 90.4% for first-time, U.S.-educated candidates in 2025 (1,238 test takers), against 88.4% nationally (52,891).1 The state posted 95.1% in 20242 and 95.0% in 2023.3
Why the Exam Is the Best Single Signal
Boards of nursing expect programs to keep first-attempt pass rates above a set benchmark or risk losing approval. For you, the stakes are more immediate. A failed attempt delays licensure, which delays your start date and your first paycheck as an RN , see RN Salary - What to Expect for what is at stake. A first-time rate shows how well a program prepares students for that exam on the first try, which is why it anchors this list.
What the Latest Numbers Show
Program type matters , for a closer BSN vs ADN NCLEX pass rate comparison, in 2025 Nebraska's associate-degree programs recorded 83.9%, while baccalaureate programs reached 92.3%.1 For BSN programs specifically, Nebraska's aggregate was 95.03% in 2023 and 95.06% in 2024, compared with national BSN figures of 88.56% and 91.16%.4
Be cautious with individual schools. A complete, verified program-by-program table for every year is not available to us, so we avoid quoting a single school's figure we cannot confirm. Nebraska DHHS quarterly numbers, such as 90.688% for the first three quarters of 2024 and 92.49% for 253 candidates in the first quarter of 2025, cover shorter periods and are not interchangeable with full-year rates. Aggregate data can also include miscoded candidates, so ask each program for its current first-time rate and cohort size.
Reading Results Across Three Years
One year can mislead. A three-year view that weights results by cohort size keeps a tiny cohort with one standout year from outranking a large program with a consistent record.
When programs land close together, accreditation status and completion and retention help separate them. Net price and graduation rate appear for context but carry little ranking weight. A college's overall figure says only so much about your odds of finishing the nursing sequence because graduation rates describe the whole institution rather than the nursing program.
ADN, BSN, or Accelerated BSN: Which Route to an RN License Fits You in Nebraska?
How long does it take to become an RN in Nebraska? It usually takes about 2 years through an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or about 4 years through a traditional BSN. Career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree can finish an accelerated BSN in roughly 12-18 months, plus prerequisite coursework and time to pass the NCLEX-RN. Licensed practical nurses can shorten the path with an LPN-to-RN bridge, and ADN-prepared nurses can add a bachelor's later through an RN-to-BSN program while working.
How Much Nursing School Costs in Nebraska: Public vs. Private Net Price
The sticker price gap between a community college ADN and a private BSN in Nebraska is real, but net price (what you actually pay after grants and scholarships) tells a more honest story. Looking at both numbers as a nursing school cost comparison helps you plan without sticker shock.
Public Programs: Lower Tuition, Lower Net Price
Nebraska's community colleges carry the lowest published tuition in the state, and their institution-wide net price (an average across all students after aid, not an exact nursing quote) reflects that. Metropolitan Community College in Omaha lands near $4,982, with Mid-Plains, Western Nebraska, and Central Community College falling in a similar range. Tuition itself is modest: Metropolitan posts roughly $3,375 for in-state students, while Southeast Community College in Lincoln sits around $3,690. Out-of-state tuition climbs, but the gap stays small by national standards. Mid-Plains, for example, charges about $3,600 in-state versus $4,530 out-of-state. If you're relocating to Nebraska for school, that difference is worth confirming with each campus.
Private Colleges: Higher List Price, Meaningful Aid
Private nursing colleges post far higher tuition. Clarkson College in Omaha lists roughly $16,104, while Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln runs around $43,572. Net price narrows that gap considerably: Clarkson's institution-wide average after aid is near $19,241, College of Saint Mary around $16,590, and Nebraska Methodist College close to $21,863. These figures are averages across all majors, so a nursing student's actual cost may differ.
What the Net Price Number Leaves Out
Published net price covers tuition, fees, and typical living costs, but nursing adds expenses that no aid package absorbs. Budget separately for uniforms and scrubs, travel to clinical sites, criminal background checks, nursing school immunization requirements, and the NCLEX-RN exam and licensure fees. These extras vary by program, so ask each school for its estimated cost sheet rather than relying on the headline figure. Program-level median debt and the ten-year monthly payment that would show what nursing graduates specifically borrow aren't published for these Nebraska programs, so treat institution-wide debt figures as context, not a nursing outcome.
The Practical Takeaway
If cost is your deciding factor, the lowest-priced route to a BSN often isn't a four-year private program at all. Starting with an affordable community college ADN, passing the NCLEX-RN, working as a licensed nurse, then completing one of the RN to BSN programs in Nebraska (often while employed and drawing on tuition assistance) can cost a fraction of a traditional BSN. Many Nebraska ADN programs are built to transfer cleanly into BSN completion tracks, making this staged approach both affordable and straightforward.
Nebraska by City
Explore other Nebraska related topics
Accelerated Nursing Programs in Nebraska: UNMC, Nebraska Methodist, and Creighton Compared
Accelerated BSN programs are built for career changers who already hold a degree in another field (a bachelor's in most cases, though Nebraska Methodist College also considers a non-nursing associate's degree) and who have finished the required science prerequisites before the first term begins. Each program below compresses pre-licensure nursing coursework and clinical training into about 12 months, so expect a demanding pace that leaves little room for outside work. Application windows and start dates shift from one admission cycle to the next, so verify current deadlines directly with each school before you apply.
| Program | Campus Locations | Length | Start Term | Application Window | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Nursing Accelerated BSN | Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Norfolk divisions | 12 months after completing prerequisites | January each year | Opens March 1; due July 1 | Accelerated pre-licensure BSN offered through the Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Norfolk divisions |
| Nebraska Methodist College Accelerated BSN | Omaha (720 N. 87th Street) | 12 months | August | Fall 2027 start: early bird deadline November 1, 2026; standard deadline June 1, 2027 | Accelerated BSN for students with a non-nursing associate's or bachelor's degree |
| Creighton University Accelerated BSN | Omaha and Phoenix | 12 months | August and January | August start: April 1 priority scholarship deadline, May 1 final deadline; January start: September 1 priority scholarship deadline, October 1 final deadline | Accelerated BSN delivered in seven terms: five eight-week terms, one two-week term, and one three-week term |
UNMC Nursing Program Requirements and Community College ADN Admissions
Use this checklist to compare published admission requirements for UNMC's traditional BSN and the ADN programs at Metropolitan, Southeast, and Central Community Colleges. Every program here admits selectively, so meeting the minimums makes you eligible but does not guarantee a seat. Confirm details with each school before you apply.
- UNMC BSN: GPAMinimum 3.0 prerequisite GPA, with at least a C in each prerequisite course.
- UNMC BSN: Prerequisites58+ credits, including Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, and Nutrition. Designated courses must be completed within 7 years of starting.
- UNMC BSN: CNA CertificationYou need an active CNA before the program starts. Working as a CNA is recommended but not required.
- UNMC BSN: ApplicationApply through the Nursing CAS. For August entry, applications open October 1, the priority deadline is January 15, and review is rolling until April 1. Seats are capacity-based by campus.
- UNMC BSN: Entrance Exam and Health ClearancesThe requirements we reviewed list no entrance exam. Check with UNMC for current background check and immunization rules.
- Metropolitan CC ADNYou need a 2.0 cumulative GPA, a C or better in prerequisites (your most recent grade counts), official transcripts from every college attended, and an active Nurse Aide, CMA, or LPN credential. Admission is ranked. Published deadlines are March 13 and June 13.
- Southeast CC ADN: EligibilityYou need a 2.75 GPA across Anatomy, Physiology, and Written Communication, plus placement scores or a C+ in college English and math.
- Southeast CC ADN: ApplicationApply at southeast.edu/applynow: February 1–28 for Fall and September 1–30 for Spring, or until seats fill. There is no formal waitlist. A student health statement and AHA BLS CPR are also required.
- Central CC ADN: TEASYou need a TEAS score at or above the 58.7% proficiency threshold.
- Central CC ADN: Courses and DeadlineYou need a C+ in specified courses and a B or higher in BIOS 2250 and 2260. The application window runs January 1–March 31, and seats are limited at each site.
Nebraska RN Licensure: Board of Nursing Essentials
More Nebraska Nursing Colleges and Program Options
Nebraska's remaining nursing options include small private colleges, community colleges, and degree-completion tracks built for working nurses. The schools below are grouped by region and listed without ranking, with the format each program uses and the average net price students receiving aid tend to pay.
Lincoln Area
- Nursing
- BSN Dual Degree 3+1 Nursing Program
- Nursing, R.N. to B.S.N.
Omaha Metro
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Traditional Program
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Traditional
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing