Top 3 Software Engineering Programs in Nebraska 2025
University of Nebraska at Omaha
102 software engineering graduates annually, 97% graduation rate
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
193 software engineering graduates annually, N/A% graduation rate
Bellevue University
74 software engineering graduates annually, 12% graduation rate
- 1.Nebraska offers 8+ accredited software engineering programs across public and private universities
- 2.University of Nebraska at Omaha leads with 97% graduation rate
- 3.Nebraska software developers earn median $91,560 annually (BLS OES 2024)
- 4.Tech opportunities concentrated in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue
- 5.Cost of living index: 92.5% of US average (below average)
Software Engineering Education in Nebraska: Overview
Nebraska offers 8 accredited software engineering programs, producing approximately 408 graduates annually. The state's tech industry is centered in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, with major employers including Mutual of Omaha, First Data, TD Ameritrade.
With a median software developer salary of $91,560 (BLS OES May 2024) and a cost of living index of 92.5% compared to the US average, Nebraska offers above-average purchasing power for tech workers.
The top software engineering programs in the state are led by University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bellevue University, each offering distinct advantages in terms of program size, graduation rates, and industry connections.
Nebraska Software Engineering Programs Rankings 2025
| Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE | Public | $6,536 | 97% | 68 |
| 2 | University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | Public | $8,010 | — | 67.9 |
| 3 | Bellevue University | Bellevue, NE | Private | $8,136 | 12% | 49.5 |
| 4 | Hastings College | Hastings, NE | Private | $33,950 | 95% | 48.9 |
| 5 | Concordia University-Nebraska | Seward, NE | Private | $38,500 | 91% | 44.1 |
| 6 | Creighton University | Omaha, NE | Private | $45,000 | — | 41.4 |
| 7 | Doane University | Crete, NE | Private | $39,336 | — | 32.7 |
| 8 | Northeast Community College | Norfolk, NE | Public | $3,240 | — | 27 |
Top 5 Software Engineering Programs in Nebraska: Side-by-Side
| School | U of Nebraska at Omaha | U of Nebraska-Lincoln | Bellevue | Hastings College | Concordia University-Nebr... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 |
| In-State Tuition | $6,536 | $8,010 | $8,136 | $33,950 | $38,500 |
| Graduation Rate | 97% | N/A% | 12% | 95% | 91% |
| Annual Graduates | 102 | 193 | 74 | 7 | 7 |
| Acceptance Rate | 87% | 77% | N/A | 70% | 90% |
| Type | Public | Public | Private | Private | Private |
| Score | 68.0/100 | 67.9/100 | 49.5/100 | 48.9/100 | 44.1/100 |
Best Bachelor's Degree Programs in Software Engineering in Nebraska
Nebraska offers 7 bachelor's-level software engineering programs. The top schools for undergraduate study are University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bellevue University. These programs prepare students for entry-level positions paying approximately $64,092 in the Nebraska market.
A bachelor's in software engineering typically requires 120-128 credit hours and takes 4 years to complete. For national rankings, see our Best Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs guide.
Top 3 Software Engineering Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Nebraska at Omaha | $6,536 | 97% | 102 | 68.0 |
| #2 U of Nebraska-Lincoln | $8,010 | N/A% | 193 | 67.9 |
| #3 Bellevue | $8,136 | 12% | 74 | 49.5 |
Top Software Engineering Schools for Master's Degrees in Nebraska
For graduate study, Nebraska offers 2 master's-level software engineering programs. Leading institutions include University of Nebraska at Omaha, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A master's degree can boost earning potential by 15-25%, with senior roles in Nebraska reaching $119,028 or more.
Explore our complete national rankings of the best software engineering master's programs for more options beyond Nebraska.
Top 3 Software Engineering Master's Programs in Nebraska
| School | Tuition | Grad Rate | Graduates | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 U of Nebraska at Omaha | $6,536 | 97% | 18 | 54.2 |
| #2 U of Nebraska-Lincoln | $8,010 | N/A% | 21 | 45.7 |
Most Affordable Software Engineering Colleges in Nebraska
For budget-conscious students, the most affordable software engineering programs in Nebraska are at Northeast Community College ($3,240/year), University of Nebraska at Omaha ($6,536/year), University of Nebraska-Lincoln ($8,010/year). These programs offer strong ROI given Nebraska's competitive tech salaries.
At Northeast Community College, a 4-year degree costs approximately $12,960 in tuition alone. With entry-level salaries around $64,092, graduates can typically recoup their investment within 0.4 years. See our Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs for national comparisons.
Most Affordable Software Engineering Programs in Nebraska (with ROI)
| School | Annual Tuition | 4-Year Cost | Payback Period | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Northeast Community College | $3,240 | $12,960 | 0.4 years | Public |
| #2 U of Nebraska at Omaha | $6,536 | $26,144 | 0.9 years | Public |
| #3 U of Nebraska-Lincoln | $8,010 | $32,040 | 1.1 years | Public |
Detailed Program Spotlights: Inside the Top 5 Software Engineering Schools in Nebraska
Below are detailed profiles of the top 5 software engineering programs in Nebraska, including admissions requirements, curriculum highlights, career outcomes, and what makes each program unique. Data sourced from official university websites and IPEDS 2023.
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $6,536 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 97% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 102 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 87%
- • Ranking Score: 68.0 / 100
Program Strengths
- 97% graduation rate
- 102 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 68.0 / 100
Why Ranked #1
Ranked #1 based on graduation rate (97%), program size (102 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,560), and selectivity (87% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE • Public
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,010 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: N/A% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 193 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 77%
- • Ranking Score: 67.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- N/A% graduation rate
- 193 software engineering graduates annually
- Public institution
- Overall score: 67.9 / 100
Why Ranked #2
Ranked #2 based on graduation rate (N/A%), program size (193 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,560), and selectivity (77% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Bellevue University
Bellevue, NE • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $8,136 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 12% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 74 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: N/A%
- • Ranking Score: 49.5 / 100
Program Strengths
- 12% graduation rate
- 74 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 49.5 / 100
Why Ranked #3
Ranked #3 based on graduation rate (12%), program size (74 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,560), and selectivity (N/A% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Hastings College
Hastings, NE • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $33,950 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 95% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 7 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 70%
- • Ranking Score: 48.9 / 100
Program Strengths
- 95% graduation rate
- 7 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 48.9 / 100
Why Ranked #4
Ranked #4 based on graduation rate (95%), program size (7 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,560), and selectivity (70% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Concordia University-Nebraska
Seward, NE • Private
Program Highlights
- • Annual Tuition: $38,500 (in-state)
- • Graduation Rate: 91% (IPEDS 2023)
- • Software Engineering Graduates: 7 annually
- • Acceptance Rate: 90%
- • Ranking Score: 44.1 / 100
Program Strengths
- 91% graduation rate
- 7 software engineering graduates annually
- Private institution
- Overall score: 44.1 / 100
Why Ranked #5
Ranked #5 based on graduation rate (91%), program size (7 graduates), state salary outcomes ($91,560), and selectivity (90% acceptance rate). Data from IPEDS 2023 and BLS OES 2024.
Career Paths
Software Developer
SOC 15-1252Software Developer opportunities in Nebraska with strong job growth.
Systems Analyst
SOC 15-1211Systems Analyst opportunities in Nebraska with strong job growth.
IT Manager
SOC 15-1299IT Manager opportunities in Nebraska with strong job growth.
Technical Consultant
SOC 15-1299Technical Consultant opportunities in Nebraska with strong job growth.
Database Administrator
SOC 15-1242Database Administrator opportunities in Nebraska with strong job growth.
Software Engineering Programs in Other States
California
Texas
New York
Florida
Washington
Massachusetts
Illinois
Georgia
Which Should You Choose?
- You want access to tech jobs in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue
- You're seeking lower cost of living (92.5% of US average)
- You want to work at companies like Mutual of Omaha or First Data
- You prefer Nebraska's quality of life
- You prioritize highest possible salary (consider CA, WA, NY)
- You want more program options (CA has 100+ vs Nebraska's 8)
- You're looking for major coastal tech hub concentration
Software Engineering in Nebraska FAQ
Based on 8 programs from IPEDS 2023, BLS OES May 2024
Software Engineering degree completions indicating program size, faculty, and resources (IPEDS 2023)
6-year completion rate from IPEDS 2023
Admission rate from IPEDS 2023 (lower = more selective)
Nebraska-specific salaries from BLS OES May 2024
Related Resources
Data Sources & Methodology
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - program completions, graduation rates, tuition, admissions
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics - Nebraska salary data
2023-2033 occupational outlook and growth projections
Program-specific admissions, curriculum, and career outcome data
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.