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Key Takeaways
Best machine learning degree programs: U of Nebraska at Omaha, U of Nebraska-Lincoln, Hastings College
Ranked by graduation rates, program outcomes, and institutional quality
Tuition ranges from $3,060 to $45,000/year
Metropolitan Community Co... offers the most affordable option at $3,060/yr
Machine Learning degree programs available: 2 associate's, 2 master's, 2 doctoral in Nebraska
From community college pathways to advanced research degrees
Nebraska community college transfer can save 40-60% on total degree costs
2 associate's programs provide transfer pathways to bachelor's degrees
Education Commission of the States
Major employers: Mutual of Omaha, First Data, TD Ameritrade, Gallup
Tech hubs in Omaha and Lincoln
Hakia Research 2026
Machine Learning degree programs near 20+ cities across Nebraska
Search by city to find programs within 200 miles of your location
Updated June 28, 2026
How we ranked Nebraska Machine Learning programs
We rank 12 accredited machine learning programs in Nebraska using IPEDS 2024 institutional data, BLS OEWS 2024 state salary data, and College Scorecard outcomes. A 4-factor weighted composite is normalized to a 0–100 score. Schools cannot pay for placement; rankings are produced algorithmically.
Are Machine Learning Degree Programs in Nebraska Worth It?
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Machine Learning Degree Rankings in Nebraska
Compare the top-ranked Machine Learning programs in Nebraska by degree level. Tuition, graduation rate, and Hakia Score for every accredited program.
Best Associate's Machine Learning Programs in Nebraska
Program Landscape
Nebraska offers 2 accredited associate's degree programs in machine learning, providing an affordable entry point into the technology field. The top-ranked programs include Metropolitan Community Co..., Northeast Community College, which combine rigorous technical curriculum with practical skills training.
Costs & Value
Community colleges in Nebraska offer these two-year programs at an average cost of $3,150/yr, significantly less than four-year university tuition. Students completing associate's degrees can pursue entry-level technical positions and transfer opportunities, with entry-level salaries averaging $50,358 in Nebraska.
Career Pathways
Many programs feature guaranteed transfer agreements with Nebraska's public universities, allowing students to complete their first two years at reduced cost before transferring to complete a bachelor's degree. The Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue areas offer particularly strong job markets for associate's degree holders, with employers like Mutual of Omaha, First Data, TD Ameritrade hiring for technical support, junior development, and IT specialist positions.
Curriculum & Specializations
Programs typically include coursework in programming fundamentals, database management, networking basics, and software development. Among machine learning schools in Nebraska, these associate's programs offer the best value for students beginning their machine learning degrees in Nebraska.
Best Bachelor's Machine Learning Programs in Nebraska
Program Landscape
Nebraska ranks among the nation's top destinations for machine learning education, with 6 accredited bachelor's degree programs across 2 public and 4 private institutions. The highest-ranked programs are U of Nebraska at Omaha, U of Nebraska-Lincoln, Hastings College, recognized for academic excellence, research opportunities, and strong industry connections.
Career Outcomes
Graduates from Nebraska machine learning programs earn a median salary of $77,826, 21% below the national average. The state's robust technology sector, anchored by the Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue metropolitan areas, provides abundant internship and employment opportunities with companies including Mutual of Omaha, First Data, TD Ameritrade.
Costs & Value
Tuition ranges from $6,536 to $45,000 annually, with an average of $28,555/yr. Top programs maintain graduation rates above 94%, with the highest reaching 97%. Many programs hold ABET accreditation, the gold standard for computing education, ensuring curriculum meets rigorous industry standards.
Curriculum & Specializations
Students can choose from specializations including software engineering, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and systems architecture. Strong industry partnerships provide access to co-op programs, capstone projects with real companies, and direct recruiting pipelines to Nebraska's leading technology employers. For students seeking machine learning degrees in Nebraska, these top-ranked machine learning schools offer the strongest combination of academic rigor and career preparation.
Show all 6 ranked programs
| Rank | School | Location | Type | Tuition | Grad Rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #6 | Doane University | Crete, NE | Private | $39,336 | — | 41.1 |
Best Master's Machine Learning Programs in Nebraska
Program Landscape
Nebraska offers 2 master's degree programs in machine learning, designed for professionals seeking to advance into senior engineering, technical leadership, and specialized roles. The top programs, U of Nebraska at Omaha, U of Nebraska-Lincoln, combine advanced technical training with research opportunities and leadership development.
Career Outcomes
Master's graduates in Nebraska earn a median salary of $91,560, approximately 20-30% higher than bachelor's degree holders. The concentration of technology companies in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue creates strong demand for graduate-level talent, with Mutual of Omaha, First Data, TD Ameritrade actively recruiting from these programs.
Costs & Value
Program formats include traditional full-time study (typically 2 years), part-time options for working professionals (2-3 years), and accelerated tracks. Tuition averages $7,273/yr, with many employers offering tuition reimbursement for graduate education. Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis tracks, allowing students to focus on research or professional development based on their career goals.
Curriculum & Specializations
Curriculum covers advanced topics including machine learning, distributed systems, software architecture, and technical management. Many programs include practicum experiences, industry capstone projects, or consulting engagements that provide real-world application of advanced concepts. Among Nebraska's machine learning schools at the graduate level, these programs stand out for both academic quality and career outcomes.
Best Doctoral Machine Learning Programs in Nebraska
Program Landscape
Nebraska is home to 2 doctoral programs in machine learning, preparing students for research positions, faculty appointments, and executive technical roles. Leading programs at U of Nebraska-Lincoln, U of Nebraska at Omaha are recognized for cutting-edge research, strong faculty publications, and competitive funding packages.
Career Outcomes
Doctoral graduates command premium salaries, with Nebraska PhD holders earning a median of $114,450, reflecting the advanced expertise required for research and executive positions. The Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue region's research universities and corporate R&D centers provide extensive collaboration opportunities with industry leaders like Mutual of Omaha, First Data, TD Ameritrade.
Costs & Value
PhD programs typically require 4-6 years of full-time study, including coursework, qualifying examinations, and original dissertation research. Many programs offer full funding through teaching or research assistantships, covering tuition and providing stipends of $25,000–$40,000 annually.
Curriculum & Specializations
Research strengths across Nebraska programs include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction, systems, and theoretical computer science. For aspiring researchers pursuing machine learning degrees in Nebraska, graduates go on to careers as university faculty, industry research scientists, or technical executives, contributing to advances in technology that impact millions of users worldwide.
Machine Learning Degree Costs & Tuition in Nebraska
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average in-state tuition | $22,204/year |
| Average out-of-state tuition | $55,510/year |
| Community college tuition | $5,551/year |
| 4-year savings for residents | $133,224 |
| 2+2 transfer pathway savings | $33,306 |
Source: IPEDS 2024
Financial Aid & Scholarships for Machine Learning Students in Nebraska
State Aid Programs
Nebraska residents pursuing machine learning degrees have access to several financial aid options designed to make higher education more affordable. The Nebraska Opportunity Grant is a need-based grant program available to eligible Nebraska residents attending participating institutions throughout the state. This grant complements federal aid programs, allowing students to layer multiple funding sources. All students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at Federal Student Aid to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The FAFSA opens October 1st each year and should be submitted as early as possible to maximize aid eligibility.
Key Programs & Amounts
Beyond state and federal aid, Nebraska's 13 institutions offering machine learning programs, including the University of Nebraska system's three campuses, provide institutional scholarships and assistantships. Many schools offer merit-based scholarships for strong academic records and need-based institutional aid packages. The Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education provides comprehensive information about state financial aid programs and transfer opportunities. Students should contact their chosen institution's financial aid office to explore program-specific scholarships in machine learning, computer science, and related fields. Additionally, the Nebraska Transfer Initiative facilitates credit transfer among public institutions, potentially reducing overall education costs when students begin at community colleges before transferring to four-year universities.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator, Nebraska
Use our interactive ROI calculator to estimate your return on investment for a machine learning degree in Nebraska. Enter your expected tuition costs, financial aid, and career goals to see projected payback periods and lifetime earnings. The calculator uses current salary data from BLS and tuition data from IPEDS to provide accurate estimates.
Machine Learning Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your return on investment for a machine learning degree
Leave blank to use average cost for selected program type
+1064%
Net gain divided by total investment. ROI above 200% is considered excellent for education investments.
$1,967,896
Your additional lifetime earnings with this degree vs. working without one, minus the total investment.
5 years
Years until your cumulative earnings exceed total investment. Shorter programs often break even faster due to lower opportunity cost.
$147,619
Your starting salary adjusted for local cost of living. This shows real purchasing power compared to a $100K national baseline.
Why does break-even change with program type? Your "total investment" includes both tuition AND opportunity cost (foregone earnings while in school). A 4-year full-time public university (in-state) means 4 years of not earning a salary ($140,000 in opportunity cost). Shorter full-time programs may have higher tuition but lower total investment because you return to the workforce sooner.
Detailed Breakdown
How we calculate your degree ROI using real salary data
Tuition plus opportunity cost (earnings you miss while in school)
Direct cost of the degree program
4 years × $35K/year foregone salary while studying full-time
Projected career earnings starting after graduation, with salary growth
What you'd earn working at $35K/year with 2% annual growth
Median salary for this role in your selected location (BLS 2024)
Your investment's compound annual growth rate (similar to stock market returns)
Data sources: BLS OEWS May 2024, IPEDS 2024. Calculations use median salaries, 3% discount rate, and assume salary growth declines from 6% to 2% over career. Individual results will vary. | Powered by Hakia.com
Machine Learning Salaries by Metro Area
Median annual salary in Nebraska metro areas
View data table
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Omaha | $101K |
| Lincoln | $96K |
| Bellevue | $92K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024
Hakia.com
Top Employers Hiring Machine Learning Graduates in Nebraska
Find machine learning jobs in Nebraska. These major employers across Nebraska metro areas are actively hiring machine learning degree holders. Click employer names to view current job openings.
Machine Learning Jobs in Omaha
NEMachine Learning Jobs in Lincoln
NETransfer Pathways for Machine Learning Degrees in Nebraska
State Transfer System
Nebraska's Nebraska Transfer Initiative, administered by the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, facilitates smooth credit transfer among public institutions across the state. This system is invaluable for students beginning their machine learning education at one of Nebraska's 16 community college institutions and later transferring to bachelor's degree programs. The state's community colleges, including Metropolitan Community College Area (#1 ranked with $3,060 tuition), Southeast Community College Area ($2,912 tuition), Northeast Community College ($3,240 tuition), and Central Community College ($2,880 tuition), offer 9 associate's completions annually in machine learning. These programs provide foundational coursework in programming, mathematics, and introductory machine learning concepts designed explicitly for seamless transfer to the University of Nebraska system and other four-year institutions.
How Transfers Work
Students leveraging the Nebraska Transfer Initiative can complete an associate's degree at significantly lower cost, as little as $2,568 annually at Western Nebraska Community College, before transferring to bachelor's programs like those at the University of Nebraska at Omaha ($6,536 tuition, 96.6% graduation rate) or University of Nebraska-Lincoln ($8,010 tuition). Articulation agreements between community colleges and four-year institutions ensure that coursework in mathematics, computer science, and general education transfers directly, minimizing credit loss and accelerating time-to-degree. The affordability advantage is substantial: a student could complete two years at a community college for approximately $5,760 to $6,480 total, then transfer to a highly-ranked bachelor's program. For additional financial support, Nebraska residents may qualify for the Nebraska Opportunity Grant, a need-based grant program. Prospective transfer students should explore pathways across National Affordable Programs and related fields like Data Science in Nebraska to maximize educational value and financial efficiency.
Why Pursue a Machine Learning Degree in Nebraska?
Industry & Workforce
Nebraska offers a strong and accessible pathway into machine learning education with 13 institutions offering programs across all degree levels (IPEDS). The state awarded 251 bachelor's degrees, 52 master's degrees, 9 associate's degrees, and 10 doctoral degrees in machine learning during the 2023 academic year, demonstrating substantial enrollment and completion rates. Two universities dominate the landscape: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Omaha together produced 283 completions, making them regional powerhouses in machine learning education. This concentration of quality programs means students have multiple pathways to enter the field without leaving the state.
Salary Outlook
The affordability of Nebraska's machine learning programs is a significant advantage. Average public in-state tuition at four-year institutions stands at just $6,668 annually, compared to $13,974 for out-of-state students (College Scorecard). Top-ranked schools like the University of Nebraska at Omaha charge only $6,536 per year while maintaining a 96.6% graduation rate. The state's major employment hubs in Omaha and Lincoln, home to employers like Nebraska Medicine, Union Pacific, and Berkshire Hathaway, create direct career opportunities for graduates. Additionally, Nebraska residents can access the Nebraska Opportunity Grant, a need-based financial aid program, through the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, further reducing education costs. Students interested in related fields should explore Data Science in Nebraska, Artificial Intelligence in Nebraska, and Computer Science in Nebraska.
Machine Learning Program Availability in Nebraska
Source: IPEDS 2024
Machine Learning Job Market & Salary Data in Nebraska
Employment Outlook
Nebraska's machine learning job market is supported by a strong higher education pipeline, with 13 institutions offering machine learning programs across associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels (IPEDS). The state produced 251 bachelor's degree completions, 52 master's degree completions, and 10 doctoral completions in 2023, creating a steady stream of talent for employers (IPEDS). The two largest metropolitan areas. Omaha-Council Bluffs and Lincoln, represent the primary employment hubs for machine learning professionals, with Lincoln serving as the state capital and Omaha as the largest metro area.
Salaries by Metro
The state's major employers actively seek machine learning talent across diverse sectors. Nebraska Medicine, Union Pacific, and Berkshire Hathaway represent significant employers with substantial technology operations and data-driven decision-making needs (BLS State Data). The University of Nebraska system itself represents a major employer and research hub. For comprehensive labor market data, including occupation-specific salaries and growth projections for computing and technology roles in Nebraska, consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Students interested in related fields should explore Artificial Intelligence in Nebraska and Data Science in Nebraska for expanded career pathways.
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)
New graduates and career changers
Senior (8+ yrs)
Technical leads and architects
Online vs On-Campus Machine Learning Programs in Nebraska
Online Programs
0 available in Nebraska
On-Campus Programs
Traditional classroom experience
Compare Machine Learning Programs in Other States
- Total Programs
- 6
- Median Tuition
- $7,700
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $33,400
- Total Programs
- 25
- Median Tuition
- $14,400
- Total Programs
- 8
- Median Tuition
- $7,200
- Total Programs
- 17
- Median Tuition
- $13,900
- Total Programs
- 179
- Median Tuition
- $5,700
- Total Programs
- 39
- Median Tuition
- $11,000
Machine Learning Degree Programs in Nebraska: FAQ
What are the best machine learning degree programs in Nebraska?
How much do machine learning degree programs cost in Nebraska?
What salary can machine learning degree graduates earn in Nebraska?
Are there online machine learning degree programs in Nebraska?
What companies hire machine learning degree graduates in Nebraska?
Is a machine learning degree program worth it in Nebraska?
How long do machine learning degree programs take in Nebraska?
What financial aid is available for machine learning degree students in Nebraska?
Data Sources
Institutional characteristics, completions, graduation rates
Nebraska salary and employment data
Program details and admissions information
Last Updated: June 26, 2026. Rankings based on IPEDS 2024 data. Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Taylor Rupe
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.