Study Overseas

International students who attend college in Nebraska receive more than a quality education. Midwestern values, a relaxed lifestyle, the opportunity for both an urban and rural experience based on a proud heritage of the Prairie pioneer-these are the hallmarks of the Nebraska experience. Students can choose from a vast array of options, from public and private universities with specialized programs in medicine, law, dentistry, information technology and agribusiness, to liberal arts colleges, some with religious affiliations, and a strong community college system.

Nebraska is located in the heart of the country with easy access via air, rail and highways to both coasts. Its 77,000 square miles span the Missouri River on the east and the neighboring states of Wyoming and Colorado on the west. Urban centers are Omaha and Lincoln, both located in the eastern part of the state, and most of the rest of this vast landscape is rural. The state's population is 1.7 million.

With four distinct seasons, Nebraska is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Boating, camping, cross-country skiing and hiking opportunities are everywhere. The changing landscape of the forests and prairies reflects the changes of the seasons.

Rolling sandhills, fertile farmlands, open skies and majestic tree-lined rivers are the treasures of this great state. In addition to these natural wonders, Nebraska is blessed with a cultural heritage that is rich in tradition and diversity. From opera to blues, theatre to ballet, old-fashioned Chautauquas and street festivals, life in Nebraska is a celebration of the arts and spirit of the prairie.

Education and Employment Reflect Midwestern Values

Nebraska values education at all levels, but particularly higher education. Besides offering a diverse array of opportunities, higher education in Nebraska is of real value. Combined tuition and fees at the state's public four-year institutions is 15 percent below the national average. Nebraska has one of the lowest unemployment rate in the nation. The work ethic is strong, jobs are plentiful, and opportunity abounds. The state's economy is robust and is continuing to grow.

The Urban Experience

Lincoln (pop. 241,000) is Nebraska's beautiful State Capital. Home to a community college, two private universities and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Star City offers a unique blend of political and educational institutions and opportunities. Just an hour away on the Interstate is Omaha, the state's largest city. Public and private colleges and universities here include several known for their strong medical and law programs, as well as community planning, business and liberal arts. Both cities offer the best in a safe urban experience - collegiate and semi-professional athletics, art, shopping, world-class museums, welcoming parks, full service airports, festivals and events, great food, and thriving historic downtown areas.

Rural Nebraska - Heritage and Heart

Students will find that rural Nebraska is the perfect place to study. Unique cities and towns across the state support outstanding public and private colleges and universities, as well as a strong network of community colleges. Higher education institutions nurture arts and culture in friendly communities throughout the state. Small classes and personal attention ensure a successful collegiate experience in a supportive learning environment with dedicated professors who are committed to teaching. Support for international students is offered by admissions personnel and counselors, who assist students with their course of study, registration, individual counseling and visa concerns.

Choose Nebraska for a Quality Education

The oldest college in Nebraska is Peru State College, located just an hour from both Omaha and Lincoln in southeast Nebraska. It was founded in 1867, and is one of three state-supported colleges in rural Nebraska that focuses on teaching and learning. The University of Nebraska system has campuses in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney, as well as a teaching-based medical center and a center for technical agriculture studies. By featuring larger campuses and an emphasis in both practical and applied research, the university experience is valued by hundreds of international students each year.

Private colleges, many religion-based, are located in cities and small towns. Although most have a liberal arts focus, Creighton University in Omaha is nationally acclaimed for its College of Law and College of Medicine. Nebraska Wesleyan University, in Lincoln, is consistently ranked among the top small liberal arts institutions in the nation. The state's community college system serves mostly rural Nebraska, with the exception of Metropolitan Community College in Omaha and Southeast Community College in Lincoln. The two year programs offer both technical and academic courses, and are often the institution of choice for students seeking a low-cost education for the first two years before transferring to a four-year institution.

Discover Nebraska!

Two-year and four-year institutions of higher education are located across Nebraska, in both urban and rural locations. Contact information is as follows:

Two-year community colleges:
The Nebraska
Community College Association
601 S. 12th, #200, Lincoln,
Nebraska 68508 (402/471-4685)

Four-year public colleges:
Nebraska State College System
11th Floor, State Capitol, Lincoln,
Nebraska 68509 (402/471-2505)

Four-year private colleges and universities:
Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Nebraska
635 S. 14th Street, Suite 310, Lincoln,
Nebraska 68508 (402/434-2818)
University of Nebraska System
3835 Holdrege, Lincoln,
Nebraska 68583 (402/472-7211)