Compare UNL, UNO, and UNK on tuition, clinical hours, accreditation, and outcomes to find your ideal SLP program.
Nebraska funnels its entire SLP graduate pipeline through three University of Nebraska campuses, in Kearney, Lincoln, and Omaha, all accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation. That concentrated system keeps options straightforward but raises real trade-offs around tuition, delivery format, and clinical fit. In-state graduate tuition ranges from roughly $8,100 to $8,400 per year, yet total cost varies once you factor in program length, fees, and whether you qualify for resident rates.
The three programs split between traditional on-campus cohorts and a fully online speech pathology programs track, a distinction that matters for career changers and working professionals. Meanwhile, Nebraska's designation of speech-language pathology as a shortage area for the 2025-26 school year signals that demand for newly credentialed SLPs, particularly in rural counties, continues to outpace supply.
Nebraska is home to three CAA-accredited speech-language pathology master's programs, all housed within the University of Nebraska system. Each offers a distinct combination of format flexibility, clinical depth, and value. Below, we rank them using a blend of net price, school-wide graduation rate, post-completion earnings, and program format to help you find the best fit for your goals and budget.
Kearney, NE · $16,000/yr (net price)
Best for: Working professionals seeking online flexibility
The University of Nebraska at Kearney stands out for its rare combination of on-campus and fully online SLP master's tracks, both accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation. The on-campus path requires a minimum of 53 credit hours over five full-time semesters, while the online path spans 56 credit hours across nine part-time semesters, making it one of the most flexible options in the state. UNK's curriculum covers diagnostic methods, motor speech disorders, dysphagia, aphasia rehabilitation, and augmentative communication. The school also offers an accelerated 4+1 pathway for qualifying undergraduates, and its institution-wide graduation rate is 57.7%.
Lincoln, NE · $15,000 – $20,000/yr
Best for: Research-minded clinicians valuing academic prestige
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology is a campus-based program recognized among the top 10 percent nationally. UNL balances rigorous research training with diverse clinical experiences, giving students access to state-of-the-art laboratories and a wide-ranging client load. The program meets both CAA and CFCC requirements and is approved by the Nebraska Department of Education for teacher endorsement. With a school-wide graduation rate of 67% and median earnings of $56,887 ten years after enrollment, UNL delivers the strongest earnings profile among Nebraska's SLP programs.
Omaha, NE · $10,000 – $15,000/yr
Best for: Budget-conscious students in the Omaha metro
The University of Nebraska at Omaha offers the most affordable SLP master's option in the state, with a net price of $13,441 and median graduate debt of just $19,000. UNO's 47-credit campus program emphasizes comprehensive clinical training, requiring 400 supervised clock hours along with both educational and medical externships. A Fast Track option lets qualifying UNO undergraduates accelerate into the graduate program, saving time and money. The institution-wide graduation rate sits at 47.1%, but the program's strong clinical focus and lower cost make it a compelling value choice.
Tuition is just one piece of the financial puzzle. The figures below compare published in-state and out-of-state tuition rates alongside median graduate debt for each of Nebraska's three SLP master's programs. Note that net price figures (the average annual cost after aid) are institution-wide averages and will vary by student; they are not guaranteed per-person totals. Among the three schools, the University of Nebraska at Omaha carries the lowest median graduate debt at $19,000, which translates to the lowest estimated monthly loan repayment of the group.
Getting into a speech pathology master's program in Nebraska takes more than meeting a university's general admissions threshold. While the three University of Nebraska campuses all have institution-wide acceptance rates near 87 to 89 percent, those figures reflect undergraduate admissions across all majors. Graduate SLP programs are considerably more selective, with limited cohort sizes and rigorous prerequisite expectations. Understanding exactly what each program asks for will help you build the strongest application possible. For a broader look at the admissions process, our guide on how to get into slp grad school covers strategies that apply across programs nationwide.
Across Nebraska's three SLP programs, a strong academic record is your most important credential.
All three programs require a bachelor's degree and completion of prerequisite courses in communication sciences and disorders (CSD).2
If your undergraduate degree is in a field other than CSD, you are not locked out. Both UNK and UNL offer leveling coursework designed to bring career changers up to speed on foundational topics such as anatomy and physiology of speech mechanisms, phonetics, language development, and audiology. These courses cover the same content that CSD undergraduates complete during their bachelor's programs, so you can fulfill prerequisite requirements before entering the graduate curriculum. For a complete breakdown of what those foundational courses typically include, see our overview of slp prerequisites for graduate school. Completing leveling work does add time to your overall timeline, typically one to two additional semesters, but it opens the door for professionals transitioning from education, psychology, linguistics, or other related fields.
One reliable way to gauge how well a program prepares its students is by looking at Praxis SLP exam pass rates, which are reported through ASHA's Council on Academic Accreditation. UNL posted a 100 percent Praxis pass rate for the 2023 to 2024 reporting period, paired with a 97 percent on-time completion rate.3 Those numbers signal a well-structured curriculum with strong clinical training and faculty mentorship. Nebraska requires a minimum Praxis score of 162 for state licensure, so programs that consistently produce high pass rates give their graduates a meaningful head start toward entering the workforce without delays.
Praxis outcomes for UNO and UNK are published through ASHA's program outcome data and are worth reviewing as part of your decision. If a program's pass rate dips below 80 percent in any reporting year, ASHA flags it for additional review, so consistently high rates are a genuine mark of quality.
Before you apply, verify all deadlines, document requirements, and prerequisite lists on each program's official website. Admissions criteria can change from cycle to cycle, and contacting the graduate admissions coordinator directly is the best way to confirm what your specific application needs to include.
Delivery format is one of the most important factors when choosing a speech pathology graduate program, especially if you are balancing work, family, or geographic constraints. Nebraska offers three SLP master's programs, and they vary in how coursework and clinical experiences are structured. Only one program is designated as online, while the other two are campus based. Even the online option requires hands-on clinical placements, since ASHA accreditation standards mandate supervised clinical hours that cannot be completed entirely through distance learning. In practice, 'hybrid' or 'online' SLP programs typically deliver didactic coursework through virtual platforms while arranging in-person practicum and externship experiences at approved clinical sites near the student.
| Feature | University of Nebraska at Kearney | University of Nebraska, Lincoln | University of Nebraska at Omaha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delivery Format | Online | Campus | Campus |
| Degree Awarded | Master of Science in Education | Master of Science | Master of Science |
| Program Structure | Part-time, nine semesters (56 credit hours) | Full-time on campus | Full-time on campus (47 credit hours) |
| In-Person Clinical Component Required | Yes (practicum and internship placements) | Yes (on-campus clinic and external sites) | Yes (educational and medical externships) |
| CAA Accredited | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best Suited For | Working professionals, students in rural areas, or those needing scheduling flexibility | Traditional full-time students who benefit from daily faculty interaction and on-campus research opportunities | Traditional full-time students in the Omaha metro area seeking diverse clinical experiences |
| In-State Tuition (Institutional) | $8,106 | $8,434 | $8,305 |
| Out-of-State Tuition (Institutional) | $16,074 | $20,944 | $17,500 |
| Student to Faculty Ratio | 14:1 | 17:1 | 15:1 |
| Key Advantage of Format | Complete coursework from anywhere in Nebraska (or beyond) while arranging local clinical placements | Immersive campus environment with access to on-site research labs and a wide client base | Urban campus with proximity to hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centers for clinical rotations |
| Key Limitation of Format | Longer timeline due to part-time pacing; still requires in-person clinical hours | Requires relocation to or residence near Lincoln | Requires relocation to or residence near Omaha |
Earning your Nebraska Speech-Language Pathologist License involves a clear sequence of education, supervised practice, and state credentialing. Note that Nebraska state licensure and the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) are separate credentials, but most employers expect both. Holding your CCC-SLP can substitute for some state requirements when you apply through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Nebraska has designated speech-language pathology as a shortage area for the 2025-26 school year, reflecting ongoing challenges in recruiting qualified SLPs across the state. Many rural Nebraska counties face especially limited access to speech-language services, making newly licensed professionals highly sought after in these communities.
Speech-language pathologists in Nebraska enjoy solid earning potential and strong demand, making the state an attractive place to launch or grow your career. Here is what the latest wage data and job projections tell us about working as an SLP in the Cornhusker State.
As of the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data (2024), the median annual wage for speech-language pathologists in Nebraska is $87,670, with a mean annual wage of $91,770.1 Approximately 1,020 SLPs are employed across the state. Wages vary by metro area:
SLPs practicing in Omaha tend to earn roughly $7,400 more per year than their Lincoln counterparts, though cost of living and employer mix (hospitals versus schools, for example) play a role in that gap.
Prospective students sometimes weigh a career in speech-language pathology against occupational therapy. In Nebraska, occupational therapists earn a median annual wage of $95,000, compared to $87,670 for SLPs, a difference of about 8.3 percent.1 While OTs hold a modest pay edge in the state, SLPs benefit from projected national job growth of 15 percent, which significantly outpaces most health care occupations.2 The higher demand may translate into greater flexibility in choosing practice settings, negotiating salaries, and securing positions in underserved communities. For a deeper look at how credentials and experience shape compensation, see our guide on speech language pathologist salary.
Program-level earnings data (such as median wages at one, two, and four years after completion) are not yet available for the SLP master's programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, or the University of Nebraska at Kearney. However, each program demonstrates a favorable return on investment when you compare median graduate debt to institution-wide early-career earnings. UNO shows the strongest ratio among the three, followed closely by UNL and then UNK. All three benefit from comparatively low in-state tuition, with graduate tuition rates ranging from roughly $8,100 to $8,400 per year for Nebraska residents. When you consider that the statewide median SLP salary exceeds $87,000, the debt-to-earnings picture looks quite manageable.
Program-specific employment and above-poverty-threshold outcomes are not yet reported for Nebraska's SLP master's programs. That said, the broader labor market signals are encouraging. With about 1,020 positions statewide and a national growth rate of 15 percent, graduates entering the Nebraska workforce face favorable conditions.1 The Omaha metro alone accounts for more than half of the state's SLP employment (540 positions), offering a concentrated job market for new clinicians.
If maximizing early-career earnings is a priority, the Omaha-Council Bluffs area delivers the highest median wages, while Lincoln and outstate Nebraska can offer lower living costs and strong community-based clinical opportunities. Either way, completing your master's degree at any of Nebraska's accredited programs positions you well for a stable, well-compensated career.
Once you earn your Nebraska SLP license, maintaining it requires ongoing professional development. Understanding the state's continuing education (CE) rules early helps you plan ahead and avoid last-minute scrambling before a renewal deadline. For a broader look at how Nebraska's requirements compare, see our SLP license requirements by state guide.
Nebraska requires licensed speech-language pathologists to complete 20 hours of continuing education during each two-year license renewal cycle. These hours must be related to the practice of speech-language pathology and obtained through approved providers or activities. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services oversees license renewals and may audit licensees for compliance, so keeping thorough documentation of all completed CE activities is essential.
Nebraska accepts a range of professional development formats toward your CE total. Common qualifying activities include:
Nebraska does not currently mandate specific content areas (such as ethics hours), though staying current on ethics best practices is always recommended.
If you hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA, you are already required to earn 30 CE hours (or 3.0 ASHA CEUs) every three years for ASHA certification maintenance. Because ASHA-approved CE activities generally satisfy Nebraska's state requirements, many SLPs fulfill both obligations simultaneously. The key difference is the cycle length: Nebraska operates on a two-year cycle while ASHA uses a three-year cycle. Mapping out your CE calendar so that hours are distributed across both timelines helps you stay compliant with minimal extra effort.
A little strategy goes a long way in managing your continuing education affordably and efficiently.
By treating continuing education as an investment rather than a checkbox, you keep your clinical skills sharp while satisfying both Nebraska and ASHA requirements with minimal duplication of effort.
Choosing a speech pathology program raises a lot of practical questions, from licensing steps to tuition costs. Below are answers to the questions prospective students ask most often about pursuing an SLP career in Nebraska.
