Best PhD and Doctoral Programs in Nebraska: Online & Campus
With the shared goal of enriching the state’s resources and workforce, students seeking PhD and doctoral programs in Nebraska have some truly excellent on-campus and virtual options to advance their education.
If you have already established a career path and are looking to level up or are curious about earning a degree of the highest order, advancing your education to the doctoral level may be a prudent next step. From increasing earning potential to unlocking new job opportunities and gleaning the elevated content from your curriculum, doctoral and PhD programs in Nebraska afford you those possibilities. This guide focuses specifically on colleges and universities rooted in Nebraska, where you can learn with peers and from faculty who share an understanding of how your residency and experiences in the local workforce affect you.
Top-Rated PhD and Doctoral Programs in Nebraska for 2024
This guide features highly rated institutions in Nebraska with robust course offerings for earning a PhD or doctoral degree. They include flexible study options through hybrid and fully online doctoral programs in Nebraska, as well as those with affordable tuition. Even if you need a school different from these, use them as barometers for your research criteria.
University of Nebraska – Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers dozens of doctoral degrees on campus, which is what you would expect from one of the largest public institutions in the state. It’s also increased its online offerings with a Doctor of Education (EdD) and PhD in Educational Studies with three specialization areas. These offerings make the university a leader in advanced education through its doctoral and PhD programs in Nebraska.
Resident tuition at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is $353/credit hour for in-person courses, $357 for online education, and higher rates for certain programs. This is compared to $1,031/credit for in-person and $700/credit hour for online nonresidents. All graduate programs are eligible for federal student loans, and many of the on-campus offerings have options for assistantships and financial aid. The school focuses heavily on its student life with fun, non-competitive fitness opportunities like rock climbing, kayaking, and studio classes, as well as comprehensive on-campus health care and mental health care for students and advanced nutrition consultations with a dietitian.
Creighton University
Creighton University offers 16 doctoral degrees, three of which are 100% online and one that can be completed in a hybrid format. These online doctoral programs in Nebraska skew toward healthcare degrees and include a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science. It also has a law program (Juris Doctor) and related dual degrees in business administration or government organization and leadership.
Tuition rates at Creighton vary based on the program, but the cost of attendance is transparent for this selective Jesuit institution. Students are eligible for scholarships, grants, and loans through Creighton or federal or private loan servicers. Creighton fosters connection by encouraging students to explore historic Omaha and access nature within minutes of downtown Omaha to bridge the proverbial town/gown divide.
College of Saint Mary
With three sturdy online doctoral programs in Nebraska – Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) – the College of Saint Mary prioritizes the growth and integration of others as a cornerstone for its degree programs. EdD students can advance their education, healthcare, or business careers. In contrast, DPT and OTD students rise to the top of their fields to support individuals’ mobility and their physical, social, and occupational functioning.
EdD courses are $745/credit hour for a 60-credit program. OTD courses are $15,255/semester, and DPT courses are $11,875/semester. All programs are eligible for federal or private student loans. Additionally, the College of Saint Mary prioritizes its connections to veterans through VA education benefits, ROTC, and vocational rehabilitation programs. Online students can expect close support from faculty and approaches like integrated dissertation work throughout coursework to reduce stress and, crucially, finish on time.
Types of PhD and Doctoral Programs Available in Nebraska
As individual as each student, there are a myriad of mechanisms for earning a PhD/doctorate in Nebraska. Whether you prioritize course load optimization, an online format, or reduce barriers to attendance (e.g., entrance exams, pace, and final degree expectations), read on to see which type may be right for you.
Full-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Nebraska
As the classic format for earning a doctoral degree, there are hundreds of full-time options with doctoral and PhD programs in Nebraska. Many integrate a fully online or hybrid format, like Bellevue University’s PhD in Human Capital Management, geared towards immersion in best practices for leadership strategy. You might also consider pursuing medical school in Nebraska at Creighton University and earning an MD from a service-oriented program focusing on collaboration and respect.
Part-Time PhD/Doctoral Programs in Nebraska
Geared toward working professionals, part-time PhD programs are excellent ways to advance your education while maintaining your responsibilities and financial earnings. Educators, particularly, benefit from part-time programs, many of which are fully online, to help them move into school or policy-based leadership roles. The University of Nebraska Omaha’s EdD in Educational Administration and College of Saint Mary’s EdD in Educational Leadership each offer five-year part-time tracks to degree completion (versus full-time in three years), culminating in a positive career outlook and advancement possibility.
Fully Funded PhD/Doctoral Programs in Nebraska
Many academic-based (versus practice-based) PhD and doctoral programs offer institutionally funded tuition so students can focus completely on coursework as a vocation. Most programs with this feature are on-campus and have a rich history and faculty. University of Nebraska–Lincoln has several offerings, including its PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and PhD in Child Development/Early Childhood Education, that provide full tuition funding.
No-GRE PhD/Doctoral Programs in Nebraska
As schools learn more about higher education outcomes and implicit bias, increasing numbers of institutions no longer require the GRE for doctoral programs. Doctoral and PhD programs in Nebraska are no exception. The fully online College of Saint Mary’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and the on-campus University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s EdD in Educational Administration both don’t require the GRE and instead look deeper into a student’s history to evaluate prospective fit with the program.
Accelerated PhD/Doctoral Programs in Nebraska
When you realize that you want to spend the rest of your life on a career path, you’d like the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. This is where an accelerated doctoral program comes in, and Nebraska has some unique opportunities for accelerated learning. Creighton University’s Accelerated JD (Juris Doctor) program allows you to complete law school in two rather than three years, and the College of Saint Mary’s Occupational Therapy Doctorate allows an accelerated completion of a bachelor’s and doctoral degree in six years rather than seven or more.
No Dissertation PhD/Doctoral Programs in Nebraska
While a cumulative project can seem like the natural apex of doctoral study, some career paths are not enhanced by a large summative project. In these fields, students are prepared through coursework to engage in the workforce and aren’t slowed or hindered by cumbersome dissertations. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Clinical Doctorate in Audiology focuses on on-campus learning, practicum placements, and externships, and Nebraska Methodist College’s fully online Doctor of Education and Leadership in Healthcare doesn’t require a dissertation and instead emphasizes influencing policy and problem-solving.
Trending Doctoral Degrees in Nebraska
Doctorate in Education (EdD)
For educators who want to advance into further leadership roles in their local school or school system, such as by becoming a superintendent, or to advance to an advocacy role on a national scale, EdD programs focus on education administration, educational studies, leadership and innovation, and other specializations to meet your goals.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
- Midland University (online)
- University of Nebraska–Lincoln (hybrid)
- University of Nebraska Omaha (online)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
After earning nurse practitioner credentials, many nurses elect to specialize further and earn a DNP. Some programs even offer accelerated BSN-to-DNP tracks so you can hold your academic momentum and reach the apex of your earning potential early in your career. You can also specialize in various areas, such as Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, or Gerontology Nurse Practitioner.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
- Creighton University (online)
- Clarkson College (hybrid)
Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA)/PhD in Business
For those who want to look beyond an MBA and learn more about theoretical and upper-level leadership in business, the DBA and associated degrees prepare you to become a thought leader and engage in the theoretical discourse through research and publication. A DBA also prepares you to take on faculty roles in business schools or to advance in professional corporations.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
- Creighton University (online)
- Bellevue University (online)
Doctorate of Public Health
After collectively surviving COVID-19, we now much better understand the role of public health, messaging, and program management and evaluation that fall under the auspices of public or population health. Earning a doctorate in public health affords you the skills to act in a leadership role in a public service agency and inform policy and protocols while evaluating their efficacy.
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
- Nebraska Methodist College (online)
- University of Nebraska (online)
- University of Nebraska Medical Center (online)
Doctor of Physical Therapy
The American population is aging, and mobility is a crucial part of maintaining independence. Not to mention that rehabilitation after an injury or accident is paramount to full recovery. The educational standard in physical therapy is quickly becoming the DPT, and most providers have earned this credential to practice at the height of their abilities.
Quality Examples of On-Campus Programs
Quality Examples of Hybrid/Online Programs
- College of Saint Mary (hybrid)
Obtaining a PhD or Doctoral Degree from an Online Nebraska School
As you weigh your options, you may be uncertain about the process of earning an online degree, how it differs from an on-campus program, and what challenges to expect. Most online programs feature a heavy asynchronous component, meaning you complete the coursework on your own time. Some programs feature a synchronous seminar or require on-site intensives, usually several days at the beginning of each semester, especially in cohort-based programs. However, you don’t have on-campus requirements for 100% online PhD programs in Nebraska. If your PhD or doctoral program has a practice focus, like nursing, you’ll identify a site for your clinical hours in your community to complete those hours. However, many working students can embed their practical learning alongside their job duties.
Be sure to prepare for some of the common challenges of earning a degree online, many of which stem from time management. Think about how you fared in your previous coursework, consider how and when you want to carve out time for your studies and ensure you leave sufficient time for your other responsibilities, rest, and leisure. Your degree may replace some of your hobbies or personal interests, but the feather in your cap upon completion will likely make it worth it.
Unlocking Financial Support for Your PhD in Nebraska
After you’ve decided to pursue a PhD, finding financial footing is the next logical step. Numerous financial aid opportunities are fairly universal, and many students rely on scholarships/grants and fellowships to subsidize the cost of their degrees.
While there is a wider variety of specific scholarships in Nebraska for undergraduate students, institutional scholarships are still available to graduate students. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, for example, offers various funding sources to graduate students that include fellowships, assistantships, and travel grants. Students who are veterans can also access aid set aside for them. There are also federal programs to support students in high-demand teacher education programs.
Insights into Income Potential Nebraska PhD Graduates
When considering online PhD programs in Nebraska, look at how it might affect your earning potential for the remainder of your career. The expertise from your degree will likely boost your earnings. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that those with doctoral degrees have the highest median weekly earnings. There are also some jobs, such as licensed psychologists, that require a doctoral education to hold the position at all. Indicating a need for a high-skilled, educated workforce, the Nebraska Examiner discusses the “brain drain” of workers with post-graduate experience leaving Nebraska. To put a positive spin on this, those graduating from doctoral and PhD programs in Nebraska may find a variety of positions available and in high demand. For more specifics, consider the table below in addition to Nebraska State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics to better understand the earning potential for a variety of positions requiring a doctoral-level degree to propel you to the very top of the profession.
| Job Title | Related Doctoral Degree(s) | Median Earnings | 90th Percentile Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Scientist | PhD in Agricultural Economics, PhD in Agronomy and Horticulture | $76,400 | $129,560 |
| Biochemist | PhD in Biochemistry | $107,460 | $175,790 |
| Biologist | PhD in Biology | $91,100 | $158,730 |
| Computer Research Scientist | PhD in Computer Science | $145,080 | $233,110 |
| Nurse Practitioner | Doctor of Nursing Practice | $126,260 | $168,030 |
| Professor | PhD | $79,870 | $177,050 |
| Psychologist | Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) /PhD in Psychology | $92,740 | $151,880 |
| Statistician | PhD in Statistics | $104,110 | $163,360 |
| Systems Engineer | PhD in Systems Engineering | $111,970 | $177,020 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023