Nebraska College Tuition Trends from 2015 to 2025

Tuition trends by school type and level for Nebraska colleges

There are 23 four-year colleges and universities in Nebraska—8 public institutions and 15 private institutions. This page summarizes average tuition & fees and how costs have changed over time based on the latest available IPEDS data.

Undergraduate Tuition Trends

Public colleges: In 2025, average in-state tuition & fees are $9,208, while out-of-state tuition & fees are $17,152. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 6.28% and out-of-state costs changed by 7.40%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 41.56% (in-state) and 28.48% (out-of-state).

Private colleges: The average tuition & fees are $27,773 in 2025. That is a 5.88% change from last year and 42.28% cumulative growth since 2015.

Graduate Tuition Trends

Public graduate schools: In 2025, average in-state graduate tuition & fees are $8,303, while out-of-state graduate tuition & fees are $15,186. Year-over-year, in-state costs changed by 5.23% and out-of-state costs changed by -3.59%. Since 2015, cumulative growth is 31.65% (in-state) and 15.91% (out-of-state).

Private graduate schools: The average graduate tuition & fees are $16,193 in 2025. That is a 7.40% change from last year and 18.20% cumulative growth since 2015.

Public vs. private comparison (increase rates): In 2025, private undergraduate tuition changed by 5.88% year-over-year. Public undergraduate in-state changed by 6.28% (higher by 0.40 percentage points vs. private), and public out-of-state changed by 7.40% (higher by 1.52 percentage points vs. private). Over the full period since 2015, private undergraduate tuition grew by 42.28%, compared with public in-state 41.56% (lower by 0.72 percentage points vs. private) and public out-of-state 28.48% (lower by 13.80 percentage points vs. private).

Graduate comparison: In 2025, private graduate tuition changed by 7.40% year-over-year. Public graduate in-state changed by 5.23% (lower by 2.18 percentage points vs. private), and public graduate out-of-state changed by -3.59% (lower by 10.99 percentage points vs. private). Since 2015, private graduate tuition grew by 18.20%, compared with public graduate in-state 31.65% (higher by 13.44 percentage points vs. private) and public graduate out-of-state 15.91% (lower by 2.29 percentage points vs. private).

COA Trends

Undergraduate cost of attendance change by school type (tuition & fees + room & board): In 2025, estimated on-campus COA is $25,156 (public in-state), $33,100 (public out-of-state), and $43,721 (private). Year-over-year, on-campus COA changed by 8.40%, 8.48%, and 7.23%, respectively. Since 2015, cumulative on-campus COA growth is 45.45% (public in-state), 37.11% (public out-of-state), and 44.24% (private).

Off-campus COA: In 2025, estimated off-campus COA is $27,782 (public in-state), $35,726 (public out-of-state), and $46,347 (private). Year-over-year, off-campus COA changed by 8.81%, 8.79%, and 7.54%. Since 2015, cumulative off-campus COA growth is 54.70% (public in-state), 44.03% (public out-of-state), and 49.63% (private).

Tuition & Fees Trends of Nebraska Colleges from 2015 to 2025

The tables and charts below show how average college tuition and fees have changed in Nebraska from 2015 through 2025.

All figures are based on the latest available IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data published by the U.S. Department of Education. To keep the comparisons consistent, these averages reflect 4-year colleges and universities in Nebraska and exclude most community colleges and trade schools due to differences in reporting and availability.

Under. (Public) Under. (Private) Graduate (Public) Graduate (Private)

For Nebraska public schools, the 2025 undergraduate in-state tuition & fees are $9,208 which has increased by 41.56% over the current decade and the out-of-state cost is $17,152 which has risen by 28.48%. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 2.85% while last year increase rate was 7.40%.

Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Nebraska Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
In-State Costs	$6,690	$6,925	$7,401	$7,645	$7,828	$8,001	$8,012	$8,435	$8,664	$9,208
Year-to-Year Rates	2.85%	3.51%	6.86%	3.31%	2.39%	2.21%	0.13%	5.28%	2.72%	6.28%
Cumulative Rates	2.85%	6.46%	13.77%	17.53%	20.34%	23.00%	23.16%	29.67%	33.20%	41.56%
Out-of-State Costs	$13,484	$13,886	$14,657	$15,051	$15,458	$15,860	$15,177	$15,593	$15,970	$17,152
Year-to-Year Rates	1.00%	2.99%	5.55%	2.69%	2.70%	2.60%	-4.31%	2.74%	2.42%	7.40%
Cumulative Rates	1.00%	4.02%	9.79%	12.74%	15.79%	18.80%	13.68%	16.80%	19.63%	28.48%

For private schools in Nebraska state, the 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees are $27,773 which has increased by 42.28% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in tuition is 4.23% while last year increase rate was 5.88%.

Table. Undergraduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Nebraska Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Tuition & Fees	$20,130	$21,082	$21,467	$22,207	$22,914	$23,692	$24,394	$25,207	$26,230	$27,773
Year-to-Year Rates	3.12%	4.73%	1.83%	3.44%	3.19%	3.40%	2.96%	3.33%	4.06%	5.88%
Cumulative Rates	3.12%	8.00%	9.97%	13.76%	17.38%	21.37%	24.97%	29.13%	34.37%	42.28%

The average graduate school tuition & fees of Nebraska public schools are $8,303 which has increased by 31.65% over the current decade and the out-of-state graduate cost is $15,186 which has risen by 15.91%. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 1.59% while last year increase rate was -3.59%.

Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Public Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Nebraska Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
In-State Costs	$6,509	$6,775	$7,274	$7,099	$7,314	$7,517	$7,635	$7,666	$7,890	$8,303
Year-to-Year Rates	3.21%	4.08%	7.36%	-2.41%	3.02%	2.78%	1.57%	0.40%	2.93%	5.23%
Cumulative Rates	3.21%	7.43%	15.34%	12.56%	15.97%	19.19%	21.06%	21.55%	25.11%	31.65%
Out-of-State Costs	$13,491	$13,964	$15,065	$14,408	$14,788	$15,144	$15,329	$15,360	$15,751	$15,186
Year-to-Year Rates	2.97%	3.51%	7.88%	-4.36%	2.64%	2.41%	1.22%	0.20%	2.55%	-3.59%
Cumulative Rates	2.97%	6.59%	14.99%	9.98%	12.88%	15.60%	17.01%	17.24%	20.23%	15.91%

For private graduate schools in Nebraska state, the 2025 tuition & fees are $16,193 which has increased by 18.20% over the current decade. In average, the rate of increase in graduate tuition is 1.82038% while last year increase rate was 7.40%.

Table. Graduate Tuition Trends (Private Schools) From 2015 to 2025 for Nebraska Colleges

	2015-2016	2016-2017	2017-2018	2018-2019	2019-2020	2020-2021	2021-2022	2022-2023	2023-2024	2024-2025
Tuition & Fees	$13,698	$13,837	$14,118	$13,195	$13,585	$14,003	$14,367	$14,705	$15,077	$16,193
Year-to-Year Rates	-0.01%	1.02%	2.03%	-6.54%	2.96%	3.08%	2.60%	2.36%	2.52%	7.40%
Cumulative Rates	-0.01%	1.01%	3.06%	-3.68%	-0.84%	2.22%	4.87%	7.35%	10.06%	18.20%

You can check the changes of other college costs including room & board costs, book & supplies, and other living expenses at Nebraska college cost trends.

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