Recognized for Success
Wayne State is nationally ranked and has received recognition for affordability, academic excellence, and community service. We strive to produce graduates who will become successful, productive, and contributing members of society.
Awards & Rankings News
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WSC Recognized for 3 Top Degree Programs in U.S.
Wayne State has been recognized for two master's degrees and an online bachelor's degree as top programs in the nation.
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Wayne State Ranked Nationally as a Best College for Veterans
Wayne State proudly supports veterans and students in the military. WSC's latest military-related recognition joins the Military Friendly School honor, which it receives annually.
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Wayne State College Recognized as a 2019-20 College of Distinction
Wayne State College is the only public college in Nebraska to be named for the 2019-20 year.
Best in Nebraska
Recognized for Excellence
Best Colleges of Distinction, 2022-23
Colleges of Distinction
Best Colleges of Distinction, 2022-23
Recognized for Excellence
Colleges of Distinction
Wayne State College has been named as a College of Distinction. Colleges of Distinction honors and recognizes the hundreds of smaller, teaching-centered colleges that make up the fabric of the American educational system, schools that deliver well four overarching distinctions — Engagement, Teaching, Community, and Outcomes — which are the fundamental elements of an effective undergraduate education.
To be designated a “college of distinction,” a school’s curriculum must emphasize such core competencies as critical thinking, writing, oral skills, research, and global perspectives. They must also offer dynamic out-of-classroom learning and study abroad programs. The process is objective, in-depth, and qualitative; however, quantitative data such as class-size statistics, faculty-to-student ratio, plus retention and four-year graduation rates are also taken into account.
One of Only Six Colleges in Nebraska
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
Corporation for National and Community Service; U.S. Department of Education
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
One of Only Six Colleges in Nebraska
Corporation for National and Community Service; U.S. Department of Education
Wayne State College was recognized on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the sixth consecutive year and is one of only six higher education institutions in Nebraska to be named to the Honor Roll in any category. Wayne State College has been named in the general community service category by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education, which honors the nation's leading colleges and universities, students, faculty members and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through community service and Service-Learning efforts.
Affordability & Value
Wayne State is continually recognized for incredible value and affordability, without sacrificing quality. Awards in this category include "Most Affordable College in Nebraska," "Most Affordable Master's Degrees," and other cost distinctions by subject or degree type.
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 11 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online School, 2023
Intelligent.com
Most Affordable Online School, 2023
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 11 in the U.S.
Intelligent.com
Intelligent.com ranked Wayne State College as No. 11 in the U.S. in the category of cheapest online colleges and universities for 2022. For their 2022 online degree report, Intelligent.com reviewed over 250 institutions to determine which schools were the most affordable based on the cost-per-credit tuition rates. Tuition rates vary based on degree level, and not all schools offer all types of degrees. The list includes community colleges, which only offer associate degrees, as well as four-year institutions that grant bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees. Schools on the list also have regional accreditation, which assures a high standard of quality.
In addition to cost, they evaluated these colleges on the basis of reputation, faculty, flexibility, and course strength. They then calculated the Intelligent Score for each school on a scale from 0 to 100.
Learn more about our online degree programs.
No. 1 in Nebraska
Most Affordable College in Nebraska, 2022
College Affordability Guide
Most Affordable College in Nebraska, 2022
No. 1 in Nebraska
College Affordability Guide
College Affordability Guide ranks Wayne State in the No.1 spot for 2022 as the Most Affordable College in Nebraska. College Affordability Guide focuses not only on the financial cost of colleges, but on the opportunity cost: what happens to students once they're enrolled. Do they graduate? Can they pay back their loans? Their analysis is designed to find schools that are affordable not only for the average student, but for lower-income students as well.
Ranking is based on the following factors:
- Institutional Fit – At least 500 students enrolled and the ability to earn non-standard credits, including at least 20% of students receiving Pell Grants.
- Getting In – Overall affordability and equitable use of financial aid, making the average net price of $15,000/year or less
- Getting Out – High graduation rate with more than 50% of students either debt-free or paying down student debt within three years of graduation
- Top Colleges - The combination of these "Institutional Fit," "Getting In," and "Getting Out" filters leaves a small group of schools that are serious about making sure that students of all backgrounds get their money's worth.
No. 3 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Master's Programs, 2023
EDsmart
Most Affordable Online Master's Programs, 2023
No. 3 in the U.S.
EDsmart
EDsmart's ranking of most affordable online master's programs is the most comprehensive and well-rounded to date.The ranking includes only fully accredited schools that offer a master's program online. Rankings are based solely on average in-state graduate student tuition as published in the National Center for Education Statistics database.
No. 5 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees
Great Value Colleges
Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees
No. 5 in the U.S.
Great Value Colleges
A master’s degree can mean as much as $400,000 in extra earnings over the course of a career compared to holders of bachelor’s degrees. Being able to earn that degree on a budget and at your own schedule while continuing to meet personal and professional responsibilities is a marvel of the modern era. These rankings were based on tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, and national recognition. View our online master's degrees.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 5 in the Midwest
Top Affordable Master's Degree in Counseling in Nebraska, 2020-21
Best Counseling Degrees
Top Affordable Master's Degree in Counseling in Nebraska, 2020-21
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 5 in the Midwest
Best Counseling Degrees
Best Counseling Degrees ranked Wayne State College at No. 5 in the Midwest for most affordable master’s degree in counseling. More than 100 graduate schools from the following states were considered: North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Programs had to meet rigorous criteria to become accredited and were also ranked based on average tuition.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online College for MBA, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online College for MBA, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
For the online master’s degree in business administration, OnlineU researched the tuition of every college offering fully online degrees to determine and rank the most affordable choices, and Wayne State College made the rankings at 9th in the U.S. for 2020. To be considered for these subject rankings, schools needed to be regionally or nationally accredited and offer at least one fully online degree in a given subject for the degree level of the list.
Learn more about our online MBA
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 15 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Human Resources, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Human Resources, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 15 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
For the online bachelor's degree in human resources management, OnlineU researched the tuition of every college offering a fully online bachelor's degree in human resources to determine and rank the most affordable choices. Wayne State College tied with our sister college, Peru State, at No. 1 in Nebraska and No. 15th overall in the U.S. for 2020.
No. 5 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Graphic Design Degree, 2020-21
College Affordability Guide
Most Affordable Graphic Design Degree, 2020-21
No. 5 in the U.S.
College Affordability Guide
College Affordability Guide ranks the graphic design program at Wayne State as the 5th most affordable college for graphic design in the U.S. Ranking is based on the following factors:
- Institutional Fit – At least 500 students enrolled and the ability to earn non-standard credits (AP and ROTC), including at least 20% of students receiving Pell Grants.
- Getting In – Overall affordability and equitable use of financial aid, making the average net price of $15,000/year or less
- Getting Out – High graduation rate with more than 50% of students either debt-free or paying down student debt within three years of graduation
- Top Colleges - The combination of these "Institutional Fit," "Getting In," and "Getting Out" filters leaves a small group of schools that are serious about making sure that students of all backgrounds get their money's worth
No. 4 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Early Childhood Degree, 2020-21
College Affordability Guide
Most Affordable Early Childhood Degree, 2020-21
No. 4 in the U.S.
College Affordability Guide
College Affordability Guide ranks the early childhood program at Wayne State as the 4th most affordable college for early childhood in the U.S. for 2020. Ranking is based on the following factors:
- Institutional Fit – At least 500 students enrolled and the ability to earn non-standard credits (AP and ROTC), including at least 20% of students receiving Pell Grants.
- Getting In – Overall affordability and equitable use of financial aid, making the average net price of $15,000/year or less
- Getting Out – High graduation rate with more than 50% of students either debt-free or paying down student debt within three years of graduation
- Top Colleges - The combination of these "Institutional Fit," "Getting In," and "Getting Out" filters leaves a small group of schools that are serious about making sure that students of all backgrounds get their money's worth
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Master's in Human Resources, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online Master's in Human Resources, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 9 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
For the online master's degree in human resources management, OnlineU manually researched the tuition of every college offering fully online degrees to determine and rank the most affordable choices. Wayne State College made the rankings at No. 1 in Nebraska and No. 9 overall in the U.S. for 2020.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 14 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Sports Management Master's, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online Sports Management Master's, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 14 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
OnlineU.org unveiled their 2020 rankings for the best online colleges. For the online master’s degree in sport management, Wayne State College made the rankings at No. 1 in Nebraska and No. 14 overall in the U.S. To be considered for these subject rankings, schools need to be regionally or nationally accredited and need to offer at least one fully online degree in a given subject for the degree level of the list. Tuitions were manually researched and reflect the degree level of the list.
No. 25 in the U.S.
Most Scholarship Aid Awarded, 2017-18
Student Loan Report
Most Scholarship Aid Awarded, 2017-18
No. 25 in the U.S.
Student Loan Report
When it comes to paying for college, there are alternatives to borrowing money. Unlike student loans, scholarships do not require repayment after school is completed – they are essentially “free money.” Wayne State College is among the top schools awarding the most in scholarship aid, ranking No. 25 in the nation. More than 500 public, four-year colleges were analyzed. Each school was ranked according to average scholarship financial aid per undergraduate, which was $1,034 for Wayne State recipients.
Undergraduate Programs Awards
Winner out of 43 Nominees
American Bar Association Brown Select Award Winner, 2018
American Bar Association
American Bar Association Brown Select Award Winner, 2018
Winner out of 43 Nominees
American Bar Association
The Rural Law Opportunities Program was recognized as the Brown Select winner out of 43 nominees for the Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access. The award is a component of the Louis M. Brown Award for Legal Access, which is an annual award that recognizes programs and projects that enable affordable access to legal services for those of moderate income in ways that are exemplary and replicable. All nominees for the Louis M. Brown Award are entered in the running for the Brown Select Award, which is determined by online votes from the public. This component of the award was developed to help elevate the awareness of the Award and advance insights into the work of the nominees.
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 15 in the U.S.
Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Human Resources, 2020
OnlineU.org
Most Affordable Online Bachelor's in Human Resources, 2020
No. 1 in Nebraska;
No. 15 in the U.S.
OnlineU.org
For the online bachelor's degree in human resources management, OnlineU researched the tuition of every college offering a fully online bachelor's degree in human resources to determine and rank the most affordable choices. Wayne State College tied with our sister college, Peru State, at No. 1 in Nebraska and No. 15th overall in the U.S. for 2020.
No. 4 in the U.S.
Best College for Sport Management, 2018-19
Schools.com
Best College for Sport Management, 2018-19
No. 4 in the U.S.
Schools.com
The sport management program at Wayne State College earned fourth place among all colleges and universities in the U.S. for 2018-2019. Students who love the business side of athletics often pursue degree in sports management. These programs can lead to many career possibilities in the field of sports and athletics, including working as an account manager for the National Football League or an entry-level position with one of country's powerhouse sports talent management firms.
Schools.com created rankings using a unique methodology that blends a wider range of data provided by the National Center for Education Statistics. Criteria used in ranking the top sports management programs included tuition and fees, graduation rate, accessibility, student-to-faculty ratio, size of the program, and more.
Learn more about our sport management degree
Top 10% of all U.S. Colleges
Most Focused Chemistry Degree Program, 2019
College Factual
Most Focused Chemistry Degree Program, 2019
Top 10% of all U.S. Colleges
College Factual
In a recent ranking of the best chemistry degree programs by College Factual, Wayne State College earned #79 of all colleges in the U.S., placing us in the top 10% nationwide for 2019. Three metrics measure how College Factual determines which colleges are the "Most Focused."
- Percentage of students studying a particular major - the higher the better. This is a signal from students at the college that they recognize the strength of the program, and also stands to reason that more resources are dedicated to departments with more students.
- Market share - We take it as a positive signal if a college is attracting a lot of students to a particular major. This usually means that a college has more income from tuition to further invest in the program.
- Post graduate resources - If a college has significant graduate and doctoral level programs, that indicates they are even more focused on a particular major. This can mean more resources available to all students.
College Factual, located in Troy, New York, is a leading source of college data analytics and insights, with a strong focus on student outcomes. Its mission is to help all types of students discover their best-fit college and major so they can enjoy their college experience and graduate with less debt. College Factual provides coverage for over 2,500 colleges and universities, 350 college majors, for students in over 160 countries.
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 9 in the U.S.
Best Graphic Design Degree Program, 2023
Intelligent.com
Best Graphic Design Degree Program, 2023
No. 1 in Nebraska; No. 9 in the U.S.
Intelligent.com
Intelligent.com ranked Wayne State College as No. 9 overall in the U.S. for having the best graphic design degree for 2023, noting that WSC has the best job placement rate in the U.S. for graduates of the graphic design program. For their 2023 degree report, Intelligent.com researched programs that are offered online, in person, and in blended formats in the form of associate and bachelor’s degrees in graphic design, as well as certificate programs. The schools that made the list hold both regional and national accreditation. Several have also been awarded accreditation through the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). This organization sets standards of quality for design and art degrees. Each program was evaluated on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation.
Recognized for Excellence
Best Colleges of Distinction, 2022-23
Colleges of Distinction
Best Colleges of Distinction, 2022-23
Recognized for Excellence
Colleges of Distinction
Wayne State College has been named as a College of Distinction. Colleges of Distinction honors and recognizes the hundreds of smaller, teaching-centered colleges that make up the fabric of the American educational system, schools that deliver well four overarching distinctions — Engagement, Teaching, Community, and Outcomes — which are the fundamental elements of an effective undergraduate education.
To be designated a “college of distinction,” a school’s curriculum must emphasize such core competencies as critical thinking, writing, oral skills, research, and global perspectives. They must also offer dynamic out-of-classroom learning and study abroad programs. The process is objective, in-depth, and qualitative; however, quantitative data such as class-size statistics, faculty-to-student ratio, plus retention and four-year graduation rates are also taken into account.
No. 15 in the U.S.; Top 5%
Most Focused Education Degree Programs, 2019
College Factual
Most Focused Education Degree Programs, 2019
No. 15 in the U.S.; Top 5%
College Factual
In a recent ranking of the best education degree programs by College Factual, Wayne State College earned #15 of all colleges in the U.S., placing us in the top 5% nationwide for 2019. Three metrics measure how College Factual determines which colleges are the "Most Focused."
- Percentage of students studying a particular major - the higher the better. This is a signal from students at the college that they recognize the strength of the program, and also stands to reason that more resources are dedicated to departments with more students.
- Market share - We take it as a positive signal if a college is attracting a lot of students to a particular major. This usually means that a college has more income from tuition to further invest in the program.
- Post graduate resources - If a college has significant graduate and doctoral level programs, that indicates they are even more focused on a particular major. This can mean more resources available to all students.
College Factual, located in Troy, New York, is a leading source of college data analytics and insights, with a strong focus on student outcomes. Its mission is to help all types of students discover their best-fit college and major so they can enjoy their college experience and graduate with less debt. College Factual provides coverage for over 2,500 colleges and universities, 350 college majors, for students in over 160 countries.
No. 23 in the U.S.; Top 10%
Most Focused Special Education Degree Program, 2019
College Factual
Most Focused Special Education Degree Program, 2019
No. 23 in the U.S.; Top 10%
College Factual
In a recent ranking of the best special education degrees by College Factual, Wayne State College earned #23 of all colleges in the U.S., placing us in the top 10% nationwide for 2019. Three metrics measure how College Factual determines which colleges are the "Most Focused."
- Percentage of students studying a particular major - the higher the better. This is a signal from students at the college that they recognize the strength of the program, and also stands to reason that more resources are dedicated to departments with more students.
- Market share - We take it as a positive signal if a college is attracting a lot of students to a particular major. This usually means that a college has more income from tuition to further invest in the program.
- Post graduate resources - If a college has significant graduate and doctoral level programs, that indicates they are even more focused on a particular major. This can mean more resources available to all students.
College Factual, located in Troy, New York, is a leading source of college data analytics and insights, with a strong focus on student outcomes. Its mission is to help all types of students discover their best-fit college and major so they can enjoy their college experience and graduate with less debt. College Factual provides coverage for over 2,500 colleges and universities, 350 college majors, for students in over 160 countries.
Graduate Programs Awards
No. 1 in Nebraska;
1 of 33 Colleges in the U.S.
Best Online MBA Programs with Accreditation
OnlineMBA
Best Online MBA Programs with Accreditation
No. 1 in Nebraska;
1 of 33 Colleges in the U.S.
OnlineMBA
OnlineMBAPage.com is in the business of identifying the very best online MBA programs across the country to recommend to future business students. Wayne State College was ranked among "The Very Best Online MBA Programs with Accreditation" and for 2021-22. Wayne State College offers an online MBA that stands head and shoulders above other programs available at business schools in the region and easily earned a place on the list of the Very Best IACBE-Accredited Online MBA Programs. This alone is something that Wayne State College can be proud of. But to offer a top quality MBA that is also priced low enough to make it on to the list of the Best Value MBA Programs is truly exceptional.
No. 11 in the U.S.
Best Online Master's in Education Administration, 2023
Intelligent.com
Best Online Master's in Education Administration, 2023
No. 11 in the U.S.
Intelligent.com
Intelligent.com ranked Wayne State College as No.11 in the U.S. for the best master's degree in education administration for 2023. Intelligent.com researched over 2,900 colleges and universities, evaluating each program on the basis of academic quality, graduation rate, cost and ROI, and student resources. All of the programs examined were also regionally accredited, with most having National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) accreditation, which means they meet the highest quality standards for educator training.
Learn more about our online master's in school administration.
No. 22 in the U.S.
Best Online Master's in Special Education
OnlineSchoolsReport.com
Best Online Master's in Special Education
No. 22 in the U.S.
OnlineSchoolsReport.com
OnlineSchoolsReport.com (OCR) ranked Wayne State's online master's in special education at No. 22 in the U.S. To calculate which degree programs are the best, OSR uses six data points. Three of these are school-wide, and three are program-specific.
The school-wide criteria are student satisfaction, admission rates, and the total number of programs the school offers online. In terms of program-specific data points, OSR looks at median debt of program graduates, how many degrees are offered within the program’s department, and the percentage of the school’s enrolled students who graduate from that department.
No. 11 in the U.S.
Best Online Master's in Sport Management, 2022 - Intelligent.com
Intelligent.com
Best Online Master's in Sport Management, 2022 - Intelligent.com
No. 11 in the U.S.
Intelligent.com
Intelligent.com ranked Wayne State College as No. 11 in the U.S. for the best online master's degree in sport management for 2022. For their 2022 online degree report, Intelligent.com researched over 2,900 colleges and universities, evaluating each program on the basis of flexibility, faculty, course strength, cost, and reputation. Schools on the list are also regionally accredited.
Learn more about our online master's in sport management.
Service & Community
Each semester, hundreds of Wayne State College students make a difference in our community by participating in Service-Learning projects, contributing nearly $250,000 per year to the region in community service. For these services, Wayne State College has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll each year since 2010. We are one of only six colleges in Nebraska to be named to the Honor Roll in any category.
One of Only Six Colleges in Nebraska
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
Corporation for National and Community Service; U.S. Department of Education
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
One of Only Six Colleges in Nebraska
Corporation for National and Community Service; U.S. Department of Education
Wayne State College was recognized on the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the sixth consecutive year and is one of only six higher education institutions in Nebraska to be named to the Honor Roll in any category. Wayne State College has been named in the general community service category by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education, which honors the nation's leading colleges and universities, students, faculty members and staff for their commitment to bettering their communities through community service and Service-Learning efforts.