Last Updated: October 03, 2021
Nebraska - Cornhusker State
Nebraska is located in the Midwestern United States with Lincoln as its capital and Omaha as the largest city. As per the statistics of 2021, Nebraska has an estimated population of about 1.97 million with 24 persons per square mile. The state used to be inhabited by various tribes such as the Cheyenne, Omaha, Oto, Pawnee, Sauk, Lakota and Dakota Sioux, etc. The state has a wide seasonal variation in terms of temperature as well as precipitation patterns. Nebraska experiences hot summers and cold winters with average annual precipitation of 800mm in the east to 350mm in the west.
There are several public and private institutions that form the Nebraska higher education system. Some of the top institutions include the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Bellevue University, Midland University, Hastings College, Concordia University-Nebraska, Wayne State College, and so on. Biological Science, Business Management, Architectural Engineering, and Administration Studies are gaining more and more attention with regards to its huge job prospects in the future.
Major Cities in Nebraska
Omaha
With a population of about 476,000, Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska. It was founded in 1854 and is located in Douglas County. The city is a major educational hub as it houses several educational institutions such as the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Grace University, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health, Clarkson College, and Creighton University. Reputed companies such as Ameritrade, Berkshire Hathaway, ConAgra Foods, are situated here.
Lincoln
Lincoln has a population of around 284,000 which makes it the second-largest city in the Cornhusker State. It is also the capital city of Nebraska. The city is known for its beauty, safety, cultural diversity, and great transportation. It is also home to the most prestigious university of the state, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Popular tourist destinations are Sheldon Museum of Art, Lincoln Children's Zoo, Nebraska State Capitol, Pioneers Park Nature Center, International Quilt Museum, Sunken Gardens, etc.
Bellevue
Bellevue was founded in 1822 and is situated in Sarpy County. It has a population of around 54,000 and is the third-largest city in Nebraska. Bellevue is the French word for 'beautiful' or 'beautiful view'. The city has crime rates lower than the national average and is also affordable, which makes it an ideal city to live in. Popular attractions include the Fontenelle Forest, Sarpy County Museum, Haworth Park, TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest, The Bellevue Log Cabin, Swanson Park,
Jewell Park Mountain Bike and Hiking Trail, and so on.
Grand Island
With a population of over 51,000, Grand Island is the fourth largest state in the state of Nebraska. It was originally called the La Grand Isle by French traders who settled here. Established as a city in 1872 it is located in Hall county. The city is known for its cultural diversity and its extremely low cost of living. Some of the most popular destinations in this city are Stuhr Museum-Prairie Pioneer, Island Oasis Water Park, Mormon Island State Recreation Area, Stolley Park, City of Grand Island - Heartland Public, George Clayton Hall County Park, etc.
Economy/Job Market
- Nebraska is known as the Cornhusker State because it was once the leading producer of corn and used the method of husking to harvest the crops.
- This state is home to five Fortune 500 companies namely, Union Pacific, Berkshire Hathaway, ConAgra Foods, Mutual of Omaha Insurance, and Peter Kiewit Sons.
- The top five sectors that contribute to the economy of Nebraska are financial services, food processing, manufacturing (especially metal and mineral products), renewable energy, and transportation.
- Nebraska faced major economic losses due to the covid-19 pandemic. However, there is visible growth in the economy as it recovers from its fallen state to its pre-pandemic condition.
- The unemployment rate seems to be surprisingly lower than the nation's overall unemployment rate. The rate has declined in Nebraska at 2.2%, whereas the national rate is 5.2%.
- Trade, Transportation, Government Services, Healthcare Services, Business, and Manufacturing sectors are greatly contributing to the state's economy currently.
Tuition Fee and Living Cost in Nebraska
The cost of living in Nebraska is a lot less than the national average. Housing costs, followed by transportation costs are the least expensive, whereas healthcare services are extremely costly when compared to the national average. The median household income in the nation is around $61,000 as per 2021 estimates. The capital city of Lincoln, Omaha, Wayne, Fremont, and Kearney are the most expensive places in Nebraska. The most affordable cities to live in are Schuyler, Alliance, Lexington, McCook, and Sidney.
Educational costs are moderate considering the tuition costs in both private and public institutions. However, some private universities can be expensive such as Creighton University (Omaha), which charges around $44,000 which is higher than the national average.
List of Few Major Universities/Colleges
The top colleges/universities in the state of Nebraska are:
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln This is the most prestigious university in Nebraska which is situated in the capital city of Lincoln. It is a public university that was founded on February 15, 1869, and is the oldest university in Nebraska. It is highly acclaimed for its excellent faculty, dynamic campus life, and great academic quality. With around 29,000 students in the university and a faculty of around 1,300, the student-to-faculty ratio is 17:1. Business, Psychology, Public Relations, Finance, and Marketing are popular majors offered here. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is about $11,000 and over $27,000 for out-of-state students.
- Creighton University Situated in the largest city of Nebraska, Omaha, Creighton University is a private institution. It was founded in 1878 and is affiliated with the Catholic Church. The university provides the best quality education, high research activity, with a major focus on faith, leadership, and service. The university has about 11,000 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 12:1. With more than 140 academic programs, the popular majors are Nursing, Biology, and Finance. The tuition fee for all undergraduate students is around $44,000.
- Nebraska Wesleyan University This is another popular university situated in the capital city of Lincoln. Founded in the year 1887, the university is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The university boasts of a beautiful campus, an extensive curriculum, and an excellent teaching-learning experience. With over 4,000 students and almost 300 faculty members, Business Administration, Sociology, Psychology, Nursing, and Biology are popular majors. The tuition fee for all undergraduate students is around $38,000.
- University of Nebraska at Kearney Situated in Kearney, this is one of the most reputed universities in the state of Nebraska. It is a public university that was founded in 1905. It is known for its student diversity, and for providing the best education at affordable rates. With about 8,000 students and more than 300 faculty members, the student-to-faculty ratio is 13:1. The university offers about 170 majors out of which Business, Elementary Education, and Operations Management are the most popular. The tuition fee for in-state undergraduate students is about $9,000 and roughly $16,000 for out-of-state students.
Scholarships/Financial Aid for Students
- Nebraska Opportunity Grant (NOG): This is a grant program for students who belong to a family with extremely low income. It was originally known as the Nebraska State Grant. To be eligible for the grant, the student must be a legal US citizen, pursue an undergraduate course from an accredited institution, be a permanent resident of Nebraska, and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine the level of need. The award amount may vary based on the availability of funds and may be up to $1,500
- The Nebraska Promise: This is a grant program for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The grant allows students to enroll at the University of Nebraska without paying any tuition fee. To be qualified for the grant, the student must be a resident of Nebraska, be eligible for the Pell Grant, and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine the level of need. The student must get enrolled on a full-time basis, and secure and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
- Regents Scholar Tuition Commitment: This is a merit-based scholarship for the undergraduate students of Nebraska. To be eligible for the program, the student must be enrolled at the University of Nebraska, be a permanent resident of Nebraska, secure and maintain a score of 3.5 GPA, and belong to the top 25 percent of the class. The program covers all tuition fees of the student provided they cover 135 credit hours on completing their undergraduate degree.
- Consolidated Grain & Barge Co. Scholarship: this is a scholarship program funded by the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization. To be eligible for the program, the candidate must be a member of the Future Farmers of America Organization, be a permanent Nebraska resident, attend an undergraduate degree in an accredited institution, pursue a major in an agriculture-related field, and maintain a minimum score of 3.0 GPA. Apart from academic scores, the candidate will also be evaluated based on participation in community service, and involvement in agricultural activities. Along with the application form, the student should submit an essay and a personal statement. The award amount will be around $1,500.
Tourism
Known as the "Cornhusker State", Nebraska is a place of fertile lands with a predominantly agricultural economy that may typically remind people of cowboys, horses, and ranches. The state has numerous beautiful destinations to explore such as Strategic Air and Space Museum, Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Lake McConaughy, Ponca State Park, Scotts Bluff National Monument, The Durham Museum, Indian Cave State Park, Cowboy Trail, Niobrara National Scenic River, and a lot more. To enjoy the beauty of Nebraska in its full glory, it is best to visit the state from September to October during the Fall season. Popular foods one must try when visiting the state are Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, Rocky Mountain Oysters, Raisin Pie, the Reuben Sandwich, Runzas, Barbecue Ribs, etc.
Universities & Colleges in Nebraska
*UG - Undergraduate
*G - Graduate
*in - In-state Fees
*out - Out-of-State Fees
- Recommended program (Top 250)
