The Best Finance Programs in Nebraska for 2026
The best finance programs in Nebraska are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name. Hakia analyzed 6 business programs in Nebraska on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where a bachelor's in finance actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 6 ranked programs in Nebraska runs from $6,758 to $46,800 a year, a $40,042 spread for the same credential.
Creighton University tops the list with an 85.5 Hakia Score on an 83% graduation rate, at $46,800 a year in-state. Across all 6 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 54%, ranging from 33% to 83%. The national median pay in the field is $88,870 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at every ranked program and what actually separates them: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best Finance Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
- Creighton University ranks first among Nebraska's business programs with an 85.5 Hakia Score and an 83% graduation rate.
- In-state tuition across the 6 ranked Nebraska programs spans $6,758 to $46,800 a year, a $40,042 gap for the same bachelor's in finance.
- The 6 ranked Nebraska programs graduate 54% of students on average, from 33% to 83%.
- 2 of the 6 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate drives the lowest cost for Nebraska residents.
- 3 of the 6 offer a confirmed online option for students who cannot relocate.
- National median pay in the field is $88,870 (BLS), the benchmark every ranked Nebraska program feeds into regardless of tuition.
Hakia analyzed 6 accredited programs in Nebraska reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 6 Best Finance Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE | Nonprofit | $46,800 | 83% | 80% | 85.5 |
| 2 | University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE · online option | Public | $8,250 | 67% | 87% | 79.1 |
| 3 | Hastings CollegeHastings, NE | Nonprofit | $35,990 | 49% | 72% | 68.0 |
| 4 | University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE | Public | $6,758 | 47% | 87% | 66.5 |
| 5 | Midland UniversityFremont, NE · online option | Nonprofit | $41,150 | 42% | 66% | 66.2 |
| 6 | Bellevue UniversityBellevue, NE · online option | Nonprofit | $12,123 | 33% | NR | 58.9 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
Finance Bachelor's 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.
A Closer Look at the Top Finance Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
Creighton University
Omaha, NE · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 83%
- Admit rate
- 80%
- In-state
- $46,800
- Out-of-state
- $46,800
Creighton University graduates 83% of its students, above the 54% average across this ranking, on an 85.5 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 85.5, #1 of 6
- 83% graduation rate
- $46,800 tuition
- Top graduation rate on this list
Creighton University is a private, nonprofit institution in Omaha, NE. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #1 of the 6 analyzed here with an 85.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 70.7 group average. The program graduates 83% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. Creighton University admits 80% of applicants, less selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 66% rate at Midland University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 83%. The university enrolls 8,581 students overall.
On cost, Creighton University charges $46,800 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $187,200 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,758 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $46,800 at Creighton University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its above-average completion.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 67%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $8,250
- Out-of-state
- $26,400
At $8,250 a year in-state, University of Nebraska-Lincoln is among the more affordable bachelor's in finance programs ranked here, holding a 79.1 Hakia Score on a 67% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 79.1, #2 of 6
- 67% graduation rate
- $8,250 in-state vs $26,400 out-of-state
- Largest campus in this ranking
Based in Lincoln, NE, University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a public institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #2 of the 6 ranked here, earning a 79.1 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 70.7 group average, in the top third of the 6 ranked programs, 6.4 points behind top-ranked Creighton University. The program graduates 67% of its students, above the 54% average across the ranked schools. University of Nebraska-Lincoln admits 87% of applicants, less selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 66% rate at Midland University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 83%.
On cost, University of Nebraska-Lincoln charges $8,250 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $26,400 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $33,000 in tuition for residents, against $105,600 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,758 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $46,800 at Creighton University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Hastings College
Hastings, NE · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 72%
- In-state
- $35,990
- Out-of-state
- $35,990
Hastings College ranks #3 of the 6 bachelor's in finance programs in this analysis, with a 68.0 Hakia Score and a 49% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 68.0, #3 of 6
- 49% graduation rate
- $35,990 tuition
- Smallest campus in this ranking
Based in Hastings, NE, Hastings College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #3 of the 6 ranked here, earning a 68.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.7 group average, in the middle third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Hastings College admits 72% of applicants, more selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 66% rate at Midland University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 83%.
On cost, Hastings College charges $35,990 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $143,960 in tuition. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,758 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $46,800 at Creighton University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its genuine selectivity.
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE · Public
- Grad rate
- 47%
- Admit rate
- 87%
- In-state
- $6,758
- Out-of-state
- $21,246
At $6,758 a year in-state, University of Nebraska at Omaha is among the more affordable bachelor's in finance programs ranked here, holding a 66.5 Hakia Score on a 47% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 66.5, #4 of 6
- 47% graduation rate
- $6,758 in-state vs $21,246 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution in Omaha, NE. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #4 of the 6 analyzed here with a 66.5 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 70.7 group average, in the middle third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 47% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. University of Nebraska at Omaha admits 87% of applicants, less selective than the 78% average for the group. That is more open than the 66% rate at Midland University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 83%.
On cost, University of Nebraska at Omaha charges $6,758 a year in-state, roughly 3x the $21,246 out-of-state rate. Over four years that is about $27,032 in tuition for residents, against $84,984 for non-residents. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,758 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $46,800 at Creighton University. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Midland University
Fremont, NE · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 42%
- Admit rate
- 66%
- In-state
- $41,150
- Out-of-state
- $41,150
Midland University ranks #5 of the 6 bachelor's in finance programs in this analysis, with a 66.2 Hakia Score and a 42% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 66.2, #5 of 6
- 42% graduation rate
- $41,150 tuition
- Most selective program here
Midland University is a private, nonprofit institution in Fremont, NE. Its Bachelor's in Finance program ranks #5 of the 6 analyzed here with a 66.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 70.7 group average, in the lower third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 42% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Midland University admits 66% of applicants, more selective than the 78% average for the group. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 83%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,558 students.
On cost, Midland University charges $41,150 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $164,600 in tuition. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,758 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $46,800 at Creighton University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 2x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is genuine selectivity paired with an online option.
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 33%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $12,123
- Out-of-state
- $12,123
At $12,123 a year in-state, Bellevue University is among the more affordable bachelor's in finance programs ranked here, holding a 58.9 Hakia Score on a 33% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 58.9, #6 of 6
- 33% graduation rate
- $12,123 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Bellevue, NE, Bellevue University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its Bachelor's in Finance program lands at #6 of the 6 ranked here, earning a 58.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.7 group average, in the lower third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 33% of its students, below the 54% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 33% to 83%. The university enrolls 14,667 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Bellevue University charges $12,123 a year in-state. Over four years that totals about $48,492 in tuition. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $6,758 at University of Nebraska at Omaha to $46,800 at Creighton University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with an $88,870 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 7x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
What a Bachelor's in Finance Costs in Nebraska
In-state tuition among the 6 ranked finance programs in Nebraska runs from $6,758 to $46,800 a year. University of Nebraska at Omaha anchors the low end at $6,758, while Creighton University sits at the top at $46,800. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the four-year math and the gap widens: about $27,032 in tuition at the low end against roughly $187,200 at the high end for the same bachelor's in finance. Against the national median of $88,870 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
A higher price does not automatically buy a stronger degree. Weigh each school's graduation rate and net price, not just its sticker tuition, and use its net price calculator for your own situation before comparing.
Accreditation and Value: What to Check First
Every school ranked here is accredited and reports to the federal IPEDS system, so the Hakia Score never rewards an unaccredited program for being cheap or convenient. Accreditation is what makes a finance degree count with employers, licensing boards, and other schools, so confirm it on the program's own page before enrolling, not after.
Low tuition only pays off when the degree finishes and counts. That is why this ranking weighs completion alongside cost: a cheap program that graduates a fraction of its students is not a bargain. Where a field carries programmatic accreditation on top of institutional accreditation, look for it too.
Online Finance Options in Nebraska
3 of the 6 ranked Nebraska programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online finance degree carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
What changes online is flexibility, not the credential. Before committing, confirm whether courses are self-paced, whether any on-campus intensives are required, and whether the online section charges the in-state rate to every student, which can erase the residency discount that makes a nearby public so cheap.
Finance Careers and Pay After a Nebraska Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $88,870 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $6,758 or $46,800 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and state-level wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS. Graduates of any ranked Nebraska program compete in that same national pay structure.
Common Questions About Finance Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
What is the best finance bachelor's degree in Nebraska?
By Hakia Score, Creighton University ranks first among the 6 finance programs in Nebraska we analyzed, with an 85.5 score and an 83% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does a finance bachelor's degree cost in Nebraska?
In-state tuition among the ranked Nebraska programs runs from $6,758 to $46,800 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online finance bachelor's degree respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $88,870 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Nebraska-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
Our Methodology for Ranking Finance Bachelor's 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 open-access 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: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.