For the 2026 school year, there are 237 private schools serving 41,494 students in Nebraska (there are 1,095 public schools, serving 330,322 students). 11% of all K-12 students in Nebraska attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $6,889 for elementary schools and $10,878 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Nebraska include Gross Catholic High School, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Elementary School, and Concordia Jr.-sr. High School.
The average acceptance rate is 91% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 20% and the student-teacher ratio is 13:1.
81% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Overview
This State (NE)
US
# Schools
237 Schools
Student Body:
# Students
41,494 Students
5,699,718 Students
% Average Students of Color
20%
34%
Student By Grade
Academics and Faculty:
# Teachers
3,087 Teachers
508,053 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
42%
55%
Average Class Size
17 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
9 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1125
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
25
(Out of 36)
26
Tuition and Acceptance Rate:
Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$7,701
$14,879
Average Summer Program Cost
$145
$1,136
Average % on Financial Aid
39%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$1,461
$7,139
Average Acceptance Rate
91%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$101.56 million
$61.9 million
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.53
0.65
# American Indian Students
225 Students
29,879 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
1,131 Students
265,081 Students
% Asian Students
3%
5%
# Hispanic Students
3,181 Students
507,336 Students
% Hispanic Students
8%
9%
# Black Students
1,769 Students
416,665 Students
% Black Students
4%
7%
# White Students
27,356 Students
2,933,287 Students
% White Students
66%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
74 Students
20,067 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
7,758 Students
1,472,129 Students
% of Others Students
19%
26%
All Ethnic Groups
Extracurriculars and Sports:
Average Number of Extracurriculars
6 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
6 sports
7 sports
Top-Ranked Nebraska Private Schools by County (2026)
Popular neighborhoods: West Omaha (12 schools), North Omaha (9 schools), South Central Omaha (9 schools), Central Omaha (6 schools), Bethany (3 schools).
County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked private schools in Nebraska?
The top-ranked private schools in Nebraska include Gross Catholic High School, St. Wenceslaus Catholic Elementary School, and Concordia Jr.-sr. High School.
How many private schools are located in Nebraska?
There are 237 private schools are located in Nebraska.
How much do private schools cost in Nebraska?
The average private school tuition in Nebraska is $6,889 for elementary schools and $10,878 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Nebraska?
Approximately 20% of students in Nebraska private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Nebraska go to private school?
11% of all K-12 students in Nebraska attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Nebraska?
81% of private schools in Nebraska are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Which private schools in Nebraska are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of private schools in Nebraska include: Aquinas Catholic Elementary School vs. Aquinas Middle High School, Grand Island Lutheran High vs. Central Catholic Middle & High School, Lutheran High Northeast vs. Norfolk Catholic High School
Recent Articles
How to Ask About Staff Screening Without Apologizing
Parents should feel comfortable asking how private schools screen employees. Learn which questions matter, what answers to expect, and why transparency about hiring and student safety is a hallmark of a well-managed school.
What Facility Safety Tells You About School Oversight
A school's facilities reveal far more than appearance. Learn how building maintenance, emergency preparedness, and campus safety practices can help parents evaluate school leadership, oversight, and long-term commitment to student well-being.
Is the School Legally a School? A Parent Verification Checklist
Before enrolling your child in a private school, learn how to verify that it is legally operating, properly accredited, and authorized to issue recognized diplomas with this practical parent checklist for making a confident school choice.
