15 Military Friendly Colleges in Nebraska

1Bellevue University
1000 Galvin Rd S | Bellevue, NE 68005

Bellevue University stands as the first military-friendly school in Nebraska on our list, boasting a student body of over 1,000 individuals benefitting from the GI Bill. With a foundation established by military personnel and a history of nearly 50 years aiding service members, the institution prioritizes the needs of Military and Veteran students through its Military Veteran Services Center (MVSC), providing comprehensive support and services both locally and globally.

As part of its commitment, Bellevue actively participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, offering unlimited undergraduate students up to $1,995 annually, while graduate students receive up to $3,090 each per year. Doctoral students also benefit, receiving up to $3,420 annually, with no set limitations.

Veterans have the opportunity to receive transfer credits for their military training. Among full-time students utilizing military benefits, the retention rate stands at 89%, while for part-time students, it’s 77%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,286
Grad: $7,016

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 573
Grad: 211

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 89%
Part Time: 77%

2 University of Nebraska at Omaha
6001 Dodge St | Omaha, NE 68182

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) stands out among top colleges catering to veterans, active duty members, and their families. Its Military and Veteran Services office fosters a robust military community on campus. Additionally, the dedicated space for Military and Veteran Services at UNO provides various amenities like a computer lounge, quiet study area, student lounge, and a coffee bar. It also houses tutoring services and hosts visits from a VA social worker.

UNO actively participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, extending an unlimited maximum contribution per year to an unlimited number of students.

Veterans have the opportunity to receive transfer credit for their military training. Among full-time students availing military benefits, the retention rate stands at 82%, while for part-time students, it’s 88%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,606
Grad: $6,064

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 413
Grad: 33

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 82%
Part Time: 88%

3University of Nebraska-Lincoln
14th and R St | Lincoln, NE 68588

University of Nebraska Lincoln (UNL) has a rich history of honoring and supporting student veterans. The Military & Veteran Success Center serves as a hub for extracurricular engagement. Additionally, the Student Veteran Peer Mentor program aims to link incoming student veterans with current peers to ease their transition into college life.

UNL actively participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, offering an unlimited maximum contribution per year to an unlimited number of students.

Veterans qualify for transfer credit based on their military training. Among full-time students receiving military benefits, the retention rate stands at 89%, while for part-time students, it’s 25%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,231
Grad: $6,513

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 267
Grad: 49

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 89%
Part Time: 25%

4Metropolitan Community College Area
30 & Fort Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68111-1610

Metropolitan Community College offers a diverse array of programs for students to explore.

For student Veterans seeking financial assistance, MCC provides several resources. The MCC Military Textbook Scholarship is one such aid, open to eligible active duty members ranked between E1 to E4 with a minimum GPA of 2.5. Additionally, there are other scholarships that prioritize military learners.

MCC extends resident rate tuition and fees to properly identified Veterans, military members, and their eligible family members. To further understand benefits and achieve academic goals, students can access support through the school’s Veterans and Military Resource Center (VMRC).

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $1,515
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 269
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 79%
Part Time: 63%

5 Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
720 North 87th St | Omaha, NE 68114

Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health (NMC) prioritizes meaningful support for military-affiliated students, encompassing active duty, guard, reserve, military spouses, and veterans. The institution’s Student Veterans of America Chapter at Nebraska Methodist College actively fosters both personal and intellectual development among its members.

As part of its commitment, NMC participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program, extending support to 20 students with grants of up to $3,000 each per year. Veterans can avail themselves of transfer credits for military training. Notably, the retention rate for full-time students benefiting from military support stands at an impressive 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $14,327
Grad: $11,133

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 30
Grad: 10

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: N/A

6 University of Nebraska at Kearney
2504 9th Avenue, Kearney, Nebraska 68849-1212

University of Nebraska at Kearney features 3 colleges, 170 majors and 20 pre professional programs. The school is proud to serve military veterans, active duty service members, and their dependents and offers resources and services. Located in the Financial Aid Office, Military and Veterans Services assists veterans and military students to apply for military education benefits. It also acts as a liaison between students, the VA and branches of military.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $4,647
Grad: $3,569

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 54
Grad: 16

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 100%

7Southeast Community College Area
301 South 68th Street Place, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510-2449

Veteran and military learners could use their educational benefits at Southeast Community College Area. The college also has a Veterans Connect Center. It is a one stop shop where all student veterans, service members and their families could have access support and resources to help them succeed.

Also on campus is the SCC Student Veterans Organization (SVO). The SVO is a student organization for veterans and dependents to network and discover information about veterans benefits and opportunities. SVO also has social gatherings, peer support, tutoring, fundraising and workshops. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,159
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 100
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 69%
Part Time: 50%

8Central Community College
3134 West Hwy 34, Grand Island, Nebraska 68802-4903

Central Community College offers 37 career and technical education programs with a focus on degree, diploma and certificate programs that tend to take two years or less to complete. It is a multi-campus community that serves 25 county areas and takes up about 14,000 square miles.

The college has a Veterans and Military Resource Center which is a place for first time and returning military learners. The center acts as a liaison with the VA to verify enrollment for students who are claiming benefits under the VA or the Veteran Readiness and Employment

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $1,343
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 55
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 62%
Part Time: 50%

9Chadron State College
1000 Main St | Mobile, NE 69337

Chadron State College (CSC) stands as one of the military-friendly colleges in Nebraska, boasting an active Student Veteran Association (SVA) right on campus.

Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, CSC extends support to 1,000 students with grants of up to $2,500 each per year.

Veterans can access transfer credits for military training, and the school boasts an impressive 100% retention rate for full-time students receiving military benefits, with a 50% rate for part-time students.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $5,088
Grad: $3,331

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 19
Grad: 7

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 50%

10Peru State College
600 Hoyt Street, Peru, Nebraska 68421-0010

If a veteran of the armed services interested in attending Peru State College you could learn how to use your education benefits towards your studies. Peru State College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and has several welcoming policies in place.

They accept up to 66 hours of credit from a community college or up to 90 hours of credit from another four-year institution. Armed Services Veterans of the armed forces who are honorably discharged and current active duty personnel may also receive credit for military experience based on ACE guidelines. Regardless of residency, the school also offers the “One Rate, Any State” program so you could pay in state tuition even if not a NE resident.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,294
Grad: $2,039

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 13
Grad: 1

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 100%

11Northeast Community College
801 E Benjamin, Norfolk, Nebraska 68702-0469

Northeast offers several military friendly policies and resources. The Registrar’s Office in the College Welcome Center has staff available to help you understand benefits and enrollment.

The college also has a dedicated Veteran Lounge. It provides a comfortable spot for studying or socializing. And the Student Veteran Organization (SVO) is there to help to ease the shift into college-life, as well as provide service opportunities with the community. Northeast also offers college credit for qualifying military experience, based on ACE guidelines.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,648
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 18
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 50%
Part Time: 50%

12Mid-Plains Community College
1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, Nebraska 69101

Mid-Plains Community College offers a range of associate degrees including transfer options and technical career focused programs. The college also supports Veterans, Active Duty Military, and Dependents in reaching goals. You could find out how to use your benefits as well as receive credit for eligible prior military service.

Once on campus, there are staff members who could serve you too. From counselors and disability services. To student success centers, financial aid help and library resources. MPCC Career Services could also help you polish a resume and choose a career path.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,320
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 14
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 67%

13Western Nebraska Community College
1601 East 27th Street, Scottsbluff, Nebraska 69361-1899

Western Nebraska Community College has earned the distinction of being named a Best for Vets college by Military Times magazine. The college boasts a dedicated Military and Veteran Services office that provides essential support and resources. Despite being a smaller institution, it prioritizes a student-centered approach and aims to maintain an open-access environment.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $2,165
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 15
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 35%

14Little Priest Tribal College
601 E. College Drive, Winnebago, Nebraska 68071-0270

Little Priest Tribal College offers two-year degree programs, specifically the Associate of Arts (A.A.) and Associate of Science (A.S.) degrees. Typically, the courses offered cover the initial two years of study at a four-year college. The college provides a range of subjects from business and education to tribal science, Native American studies, and Cannabis studies. Additionally, veterans of active military service can access veteran’s benefits at the college.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: N/A

15Nebraska Indian Community College
1111 Hwy 75, Macy, Nebraska 68039-0428

Nebraska Indian Community College focuses on providing culturally relevant educational experiences designed for Umonhon (Omaha), Isanti (Santee Dakota), and other learners across its three campuses. For students intending to apply for veteran’s educational benefits, it’s necessary to apply to the VA for benefits and submit a copy of their Certification of Eligibility (COE) to the registrar.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: N/A
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 64%
Part Time: 33%