Bryan College of Health Sciences

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Bryan College of Health Sciences operates from a compact urban campus adjacent to Bryan Medical Center in Lincoln, creating an environment where the boundary between classroom learning and clinical practice feels permeable. Students walk from lecture halls to hospital floors, experiencing the realities of healthcare delivery as part of their daily routine. The campus includes modern educational facilities, a student center, and library resources, though it lacks the expansive grounds and residential halls of traditional universities. The student body of around 500 creates an intimate community where classmates become close colleagues preparing for similar career paths. Study groups form naturally as students work through challenging material together, and faculty remain accessible outside class for additional help and mentorship. Student organizations include the Student Nurses Association, which connects students with state and national nursing advocacy, and various honor societies recognizing academic achievement. Social life at Bryan extends beyond campus to Lincoln's broader community, with students living in apartments and houses throughout the city rather than in campus dormitories. This arrangement encourages independence while allowing students to create living situations suited to their preferences and budgets. The focused nature of healthcare education means students spend considerable time on coursework and clinical requirements, but the shared intensity creates strong bonds among classmates who support each other through demanding programs.

Location & Surroundings

Lincoln serves as Nebraska's capital city and home to approximately 290,000 residents, creating a mid-sized urban environment with a distinctive college-town atmosphere due to the presence of the University of Nebraska. Bryan College sits in the medical district adjacent to Bryan Medical Center, one of the largest healthcare facilities in the state, with easy access to clinical learning opportunities. The campus location places students in a professional healthcare environment from day one of their education. The city offers cultural attractions including the Sheldon Museum of Art, Lied Center for Performing Arts, and Nebraska State Capitol, along with a growing food and entertainment scene in the downtown Haymarket district. Memorial Stadium's sea of red during University of Nebraska football games creates electric fall weekends, and the city maintains extensive trails and parks for outdoor recreation. Lincoln consistently ranks among the most livable mid-sized cities in the United States, with low unemployment, affordable housing, and high quality of life. Nebraska's climate brings cold winters with significant snowfall and warm summers with occasionally severe thunderstorms. The four distinct seasons provide variety, with spring and fall particularly pleasant for outdoor activities. Lincoln sits about an hour from Omaha, Nebraska's largest city, which offers additional entertainment, dining, and cultural options. The cost of living in Lincoln runs well below national averages, allowing students to maintain comfortable living situations on limited budgets while focusing on their demanding healthcare education.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Bryan College graduates find strong employment prospects in Nebraska's healthcare sector, with many securing positions before completing their final clinical rotations. Bryan Health serves as the largest employer of graduates, hiring nurses, sonographers, and healthcare administrators who trained in its own facilities and already understand its systems and culture. Graduates also find positions throughout Lincoln's healthcare landscape and in smaller hospitals and clinics across Nebraska and the region. Nursing graduates report high first-time NCLEX pass rates that reflect the quality of their preparation and their readiness for professional practice. Many continue their education after gaining clinical experience, returning to Bryan or other institutions for master's degrees that open pathways to advanced practice roles, leadership positions, or nursing education careers. Sonography program graduates achieve strong registry pass rates and find positions in hospital imaging departments, outpatient clinics, and specialty practices. Tuition at Bryan College of Health Sciences runs approximately $18,000 to $20,000 annually for undergraduate programs, with costs varying somewhat by specific program and credit load. Graduate programs carry different tuition rates, typically higher per credit hour but with fewer total credits required for degree completion. The college participates in federal financial aid programs, with students eligible for Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study opportunities based on demonstrated need. Institutional scholarships help reduce costs for students with strong academic records. Healthcare employers sometimes offer tuition assistance or loan repayment programs for students who commit to employment after graduation.

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