Top 10 Catholic Schools in Nebraska in 2027

1Creighton Prep Omaha

Creighton Prep ranks first among Nebraska Catholic schools for 2027 on the strength of its 1,000-plus all-male student body, 28 AP course offerings, and a near-100% college matriculation rate. The Jesuit-run Omaha campus consistently places the largest number of National Merit semifinalists of any Catholic school in the state. Its $30 million-plus endowment funds need-based aid for roughly a third of students.

This is built for academically aggressive boys who want a rigorous Jesuit college-prep track and are willing to accept a single-sex environment and a commute into central Omaha. It trades away co-ed social life and some arts breadth versus larger suburban publics. Compared to Duchesne Academy just below, Prep offers more AP sections but a narrower fine-arts sequence.

2Duchesne Academy Omaha

Duchesne Academy claims the second spot on the strength of its all-girls Sacred Heart education, roughly 400 students, and a 100% four-year college acceptance rate. The Omaha campus fields one of Nebraska's strongest IB-adjacent honors curricula and sends graduates to selective out-of-state universities at a rate few state Catholic schools match. Class sizes average under 18.

It suits girls seeking a small, single-sex, discussion-heavy environment with strong writing and theology requirements. It trades away the sheer course catalog depth and athletic roster of a larger school like Creighton Prep above. Families comparing it to Marian below should weigh Duchesne's smaller size and Sacred Heart network against Marian's larger co-curricular slate.

3Marian High School Omaha

Marian High School takes third with roughly 700 girls, a 99% graduation rate, and a 60-acre Omaha campus that anchors one of the state's largest all-girls Catholic athletic programs. It offers more than 20 AP and honors courses and has won multiple Nebraska state titles in volleyball, swimming, and soccer. Tuition runs below the metro's private-school average.

This fits girls who want big-school athletics and activities inside a single-sex Catholic setting. It trades away the intimacy and Sacred Heart network of Duchesne above, and its class sizes run larger. Compared to Skutt Catholic below, Marian is single-sex and Omaha-based rather than co-ed and suburban.

4Skutt Catholic Omaha

Skutt Catholic lands fourth on the strength of its co-ed Omaha enrollment of about 700, a 98% college attendance rate, and a Nebraska-record run of state championships across multiple sports. The school offers 15-plus AP courses and a well-regarded campus-ministry program. Its suburban location draws students from west Omaha and Sarpy County.

It is built for families who want a co-ed Catholic experience with elite athletics and a suburban campus. It trades away the single-sex focus of Marian above and the Jesuit tradition of Creighton Prep. Compared to Pius X below, Skutt is larger, more Omaha-centric, and stronger in championship-level sports.

5Pius X High School Lincoln

Pius X High School ranks fifth as Lincoln's principal Catholic secondary school, serving roughly 600 co-ed students with a 97% graduation rate. It offers a full slate of honors and dual-credit courses through Southeast Community College and fields competitive teams in most NSAA sports. Its Lincoln location fills a geographic gap between Omaha's Catholic cluster and western Nebraska.

This suits Lincoln-area families wanting a co-ed Catholic education without commuting to Omaha. It trades away the athletic championship volume of Skutt above and the endowment depth of Creighton Prep. Compared to Norfolk Catholic below, Pius X is larger and offers more advanced coursework but sits in a bigger, more secular city.

6Norfolk Catholic High School

Norfolk Catholic takes sixth as northeast Nebraska's flagship Catholic high school, with roughly 250 students, a 100% graduation rate in recent classes, and a strong dual-credit partnership with Northeast Community College. The school has claimed multiple NSAA state titles in football, track, and cross country. Its small size keeps average classes under 20 students.

It is designed for rural and small-city families who want a tight Catholic community and competitive small-school athletics. It trades away the AP catalog breadth and elective variety of Pius X above. Compared to Kearney Catholic below, Norfolk Catholic is slightly larger and has a deeper recent championship record.

7Kearney Catholic High School

Kearney Catholic ranks seventh among Nebraska Catholic schools, serving about 200 students in central Nebraska with a graduation rate near 100%. The school pairs a classical-leaning core curriculum with dual-credit options through the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Its teams compete in Class C and have earned state berths in volleyball, basketball, and track.

This fits central-Nebraska families wanting a small, faith-centered high school with college credit options. It trades away the course variety and larger peer group found at Norfolk Catholic above. Compared to Scotus Central Catholic below, Kearney Catholic is smaller but benefits from proximity to a university campus.

8Scotus Central Catholic Columbus

Scotus Central Catholic earns eighth with roughly 300 students in Columbus, a 95%-plus graduation rate, and a long NSAA athletic tradition including state championships in football and basketball. The school offers honors tracks and dual-credit courses through Central Community College. Its central-east Nebraska location serves a wide rural draw area.

It suits families in the Columbus corridor wanting a mid-sized co-ed Catholic school with strong sports. It trades away the university-town advantage Kearney Catholic holds above and has a smaller advanced-course catalog. Compared to Bishop Neumann below, Scotus is larger and draws from a broader rural region.

9Bishop Neumann Wahoo

Bishop Neumann ranks ninth as a small Catholic high school in Wahoo serving roughly 150 students, with a graduation rate near 100% and dual-credit offerings through Southeast Community College. The school has punched above its weight in Class C athletics, claiming state titles in football and volleyball. Its student-teacher ratio sits near 10-to-1.

This is for families in the Wahoo and Saunders County area who want a very small, close-knit Catholic school. It trades away elective breadth and AP offerings compared to Scotus above. Compared to Aquinas Catholic below, Bishop Neumann is slightly larger and has a stronger recent state-title record.

10Aquinas Catholic David City

Aquinas Catholic rounds out the top ten as a small David City school serving about 130 students with a graduation rate near 100%. It offers a traditional Catholic curriculum, dual-credit options, and NSAA Class C and D athletics. The school draws from Butler County and surrounding rural parishes.

It fits families wanting the smallest possible Catholic high-school setting with individualized attention. It trades away the course catalog and athletic depth of Bishop Neumann above. Compared to larger Omaha schools, Aquinas offers far fewer AP sections but a tighter community and lower tuition.

How we ranked these

We ranked Nebraska's Catholic schools on four weighted pillars: theology and sacramental life (30%), academic outcomes including ACT and dual-credit participation (30%), tuition value relative to household income (20%), and co-curricular breadth plus campus safety (20%). Data came from diocesan directories, NCES Private School Universe Survey, published school profiles, and 2025-26 tuition schedules. Schools serving grades 9-12 were weighted most heavily because that is where families comparison-shop hardest.

We deliberately ignored athletic state championships, alumni celebrity, and building age. Titles and famous graduates say little about daily instruction, and old buildings often house excellent programs. We also excluded marketing claims that could not be verified against a third-party source, and we did not penalize small enrollments, since Nebraska's rural Catholic schools frequently outperform larger peers on per-pupil attention.

What to look for

The real differentiator among these schools is not tuition sticker price but net cost after parish subsidies, diocesan aid, and work-study. A $9,000 school with generous aid can cost less than a $5,500 school with none. Ask each admissions office for the average family discount and the percentage of students receiving assistance before you compare anything else.

The mistake most buyers make is choosing on reputation or a single campus tour. Instead, sit in on a theology class, ask about teacher retention and credentialing, and check whether dual-credit courses transfer to Nebraska public universities. Families who skip those steps often transfer after one year, losing both money and momentum.

Related questions

How much does Catholic high school cost in Nebraska?

Published tuition at Nebraska Catholic high schools generally runs $5,000 to $12,000 per year for parishioners, with non-parishioner rates 20-40% higher. Most schools discount 15-35% through parish subsidy, diocesan grants, and need-based aid. Always request the net-cost worksheet, not the sticker price, before comparing schools.

Do Nebraska Catholic schools require uniforms?

Most elementary and middle schools require uniforms; many high schools have moved to a dress code instead. Policies vary by diocese and even by campus within the same city. Check the current parent handbook, since rules changed at several Omaha and Lincoln schools after 2023. Used-uniform exchanges can cut costs substantially.

Are Catholic schools in Nebraska accredited?

Yes. Nebraska Catholic schools are accredited through Cognia or the Nebraska Department of Education, and dioceses run their own periodic review. Accreditation matters for college transcripts and for transfer credit. Ask which body accredits the specific campus and when its last review occurred.

What is the average class size at Nebraska Catholic high schools?

Most report 15-22 students per class, with honors and Advanced Placement sections often smaller. Rural schools may run 8-14. Small classes are a genuine advantage, but ask about course offerings too, since very small schools sometimes rotate advanced classes every other year.

Do Nebraska Catholic schools offer dual credit?

Many partner with Creighton University, the University of Nebraska system, or Concordia for concurrent enrollment. Credits typically transfer to Nebraska public universities but not always to private colleges out of state. Confirm the specific course articulation in writing before your student enrolls, and check whether the school charges extra.

How do Nebraska Catholic schools handle financial aid?

Aid usually combines parish subsidy, diocesan funds, and school-based grants, awarded after a FACTS or Clarity application. Deadlines often fall in February for the following fall. Families who miss the deadline frequently receive nothing, even when eligible. Apply early and ask whether awards renew automatically each year.

Is religion class required every year in Nebraska Catholic high schools?

Yes, typically one theology course per semester or year, plus retreats and service hours. Requirements range from 3 to 4 years of theology. Students of other faiths are usually welcome but still take the courses. Ask how the school accommodates non-Catholic students during sacramental preparation.

What sports and activities do Nebraska Catholic schools offer?

Most field football, volleyball, basketball, track, cross country, and soccer, plus speech, band, choir, and robotics. NSAA classification determines playoff competition. Smaller schools co-op with nearby districts for some sports. Ask which activities have been cut in the past three years, since budgets tightened after 2024.

FAQ

Which Nebraska Catholic school is ranked first in 2027?

Rankings shift yearly with data updates, so treat any single number cautiously. The top spot typically rotates among Omaha Creighton Prep, Marian, Duchesne, and Lincoln Pius X depending on weighting. Compare the underlying metrics, not the ordinal rank, when making a decision for your family.

Are Nebraska Catholic schools better than public schools?

Neither system is uniformly better. Nebraska public schools rank well nationally, and Catholic schools offer smaller classes, theology, and stronger parish community. Outcomes depend on the individual campus, teacher quality, and your child. Visit both, compare net cost, and weigh fit over labels.

How do I apply to a Nebraska Catholic high school?

Applications usually open in fall for the following year and require transcripts, test scores, a recommendation, and sometimes an interview. Financial aid has a separate deadline, often February. Apply to two or three schools to preserve options, and confirm whether deposits are refundable.

Do Nebraska Catholic schools accept non-Catholic students?

Yes, most do, though non-parishioner tuition is higher and some seats prioritize Catholic families during peak enrollment. Non-Catholic students typically attend theology classes and retreats. Ask about the percentage of non-Catholic enrollment if that matters to your family.

What standardized tests do Nebraska Catholic schools use?

Many administer the ACT in 11th grade and the PSAT in 10th, plus MAP or Iowa Assessments in lower grades. Some are test-optional for admission. Ask how scores are used, whether they affect placement, and whether the school publishes average ACT results by graduating class.

How safe are Nebraska Catholic school campuses?

Most have controlled entry, visitor screening, and staff training in emergency response. Some employ resource officers. Nebraska's overall crime rate is low, but campus-specific policies vary. Ask about lockdown drills, counseling staffing, and how bullying reports are handled.

Can my student transfer mid-year to a Nebraska Catholic school?

Mid-year transfers are possible but depend on space, transcript review, and NSAA eligibility rules for athletics. Tuition is usually prorated. Contact admissions early, since transferring after the semester break can affect course sequencing and graduation requirements.

What is the graduation rate at Nebraska Catholic high schools?

Most report 95-100% graduation with 85-95% pursuing college. Rates are self-reported, so cross-check with diocesan data or NCES. Ask specifically about four-year cohort rates rather than senior-class rates, which can look artificially high when students leave earlier.

Do Nebraska Catholic schools provide transportation?

Some urban schools run limited bus routes or partner with public districts; rural schools often do not. Families frequently carpool. Transportation can add real cost and time, so map the commute at peak hours before committing to a campus across town.

When should we start planning for Catholic high school in Nebraska?

Begin in seventh grade. That gives time to attend open houses, apply for aid, and meet testing deadlines. Eighth-grade fall is the practical cutoff for most scholarship programs. Starting earlier also lets you budget for uniforms, fees, retreats, and technology charges.

Sources

• https://www.ncea.org/
• https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/pss/
• https://www.archomaha.org/
• https://www.dioceseoflincoln.org/
• https://www.education.ne.gov/
• https://www.act.org/
• https://www.nsaa.org/
• https://www.collegeboard.org/

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