Best Online Education Programs in Lincoln, NE (2026)
Lincoln, Nebraska has a population of about 291,932. The city’s median household income is $69,991 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 41.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited education programs within 100 miles of Lincoln. In the Lincoln, NE metro area, the top-earning education-related role is Education Administrator, K-12 at a median $121,190 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Education Schools to Lincoln
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer education programs. Distances are calculated from Lincoln city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE | 1.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| York University | York, NE | 47.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Peru State College | Peru, NE | 54.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Hastings College | Hastings, NE | 90.0 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Northwest Missouri State University | Maryville, MO | 99.3 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Nebraska schools on the Nebraska education page.
Education Wages Near Lincoln
Lincoln is part of the Lincoln, NE metro area (BLS area code 30700). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Nebraska statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teacher | $63,430 | Lincoln, NE | $69,247 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $60,430 | Lincoln, NE | $65,972 |
| Middle School Teacher | $63,770 | Lincoln, NE | $69,618 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $82,850 | Lincoln, NE | $90,448 |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $121,190 | Lincoln, NE | $132,303 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $86,440 | NE statewide | $94,367 |
| Tutor | $36,990 | Lincoln, NE | $40,382 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $85,660 | Lincoln, NE | $93,515 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Lincoln at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 291,932 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $69,991 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 41.0% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 91.6 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Education-related employment in Lancaster County | 2,136 workers, 150 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Lincoln-Area Cities With Education Programs
- Fremont, NE – 44.8 mi away (27,598 pop)
- Bellevue, NE – 45.5 mi away (53,505 pop)
- Omaha, NE – 45.6 mi away (792,463 pop)
- Council Bluffs, IA – 52.3 mi away (62,524 pop)
- Columbus, NE – 55.7 mi away (22,846 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited education programs are near Lincoln, NE?
Our directory lists 5 education programs within 100 miles of Lincoln. The closest is University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Lincoln, NE (1.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Northwest Missouri State University (99.3 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying education roles near Lincoln?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying education-related roles near Lincoln are: Education Administrator, K-12 ($121,190), Education Administrator, Postsecondary ($86,440), Educational and Career Counselor ($85,660). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Nebraska statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Fremont instead of Lincoln?
Fremont, NE is 44.8 miles from Lincoln and has its own set of local education programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Lincoln an affordable place to study education?
Lincoln’s median household income of $69,991 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Lincoln while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Nebraska public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.