Colleges where the most freshmen return in Nebraska
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Nebraska8 schools
8 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Nebraska.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
- 2
- 3
Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
Omaha, NE · Private nonprofitTop 19% for earnings
- 86% of freshmen return
- 60% graduate
- 4
Union Adventist University
Lincoln, NE · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- 84% of freshmen return
- 52% graduate
- 5
- 6
Doane University
Crete, NE · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B
- 79% of freshmen return
- 57% graduate
- 7
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Lincoln, NE · Private nonprofit#5 in Nebraska
- 75% of freshmen return
- 66% graduate
- 8
Bryan College of Health Sciences
Lincoln, NE · Private nonprofitTop 14% for earnings
- 71% of freshmen return
- 70% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton University | $31,568 | $25,000 | $73,911 | 83% |
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | $17,747 | $21,000 | $56,887 | 67% |
| Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | $21,863 | $23,417 | $65,071 | 60% |
| Union Adventist University | $23,716 | $27,000 | $55,045 | 52% |
| College of Saint Mary | $16,590 | $24,250 | $54,338 | 61% |
| Doane University | $26,364 | $25,000 | $53,316 | 57% |
| Nebraska Wesleyan University | $18,327 | $26,970 | $56,405 | 66% |
| Bryan College of Health Sciences | $26,919 | $24,985 | $70,845 | 70% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 7
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15