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Tuition

At Metropolitan Community College, we are removing barriers to make education accessible and affordable no matter where you live. At a time when affordability is central to many decisions in daily life, it is especially critical when making decisions about where to start your educational journey.

MCC is proud to offer one flat tuition rate for in-state and out-of-state learners, starting this Winter Quarter. You pay the same price, no matter your zip code.

Tuition Rates for MCC Credit Classes

Tuition Rates Starting 2026 Winter Quarter (26/WI)

Student Category	Tuition Rate
All Domestic Students (Nebraska and Non-Nebraska Residents)	$72.00 per credit hour
Persons 62 years of age or older (Applies to domestic students; starts the quarter after turning 62)	$36.00 per credit hour
International Students with F1 or F2 Status	$108.00 per credit hour
CollegeNow! High School Students	Waived for Nebraska high school students.

Fees

CollegeNow! High School Students	Facility fee is waived for Nebraska high school students. Students remain responsible for all other course-related costs charged to their accounts.
Facility fee	$5.00 per credit hour
Graduation application	Students will pay for cap and gown purchase if attending the graduation ceremony.

The College tuition rate is subject to change without prior notice by and at the discretion of the Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors.

Residency Classification

Note: While MCC now utilizes a flat-rate tuition model for all domestic students, residency classification is still determined in accordance with Nebraska State Statute 85-502(2021) for the purposes of state reporting, specific financial aid programs, and state-funded waivers.

Residency is based on physical presence in Nebraska for 180 days with the intent to make Nebraska a permanent home. (A PO Box is not acceptable).

Nebraska Residents

A student may qualify for the resident classification at MCC if they meet the standard residency requirements below:

Are of legal age or an emancipated minor
Have established a mailing address in Nebraska
Have been habitually present in the state for at least 180 days prior to the start of the term
Demonstrate a bona fide intent to make Nebraska their permanent residence
Are not an international student or a dependent in F status

If a student does not meet all of the standard residency requirements above, they may still qualify for resident status if one or more of the following exceptions applies:

Exemption 1: A minor student's parent or guardian must have a home in Nebraska and genuinely intend to live here permanently. If a student's parents move out of Nebraska after the student has already started college, the student won't lose their resident status as long as they genuinely intend to make Nebraska their permanent home.

Exemption 2: A student who is an adult but is still claimed as a dependent on their parent's or former guardian's taxes must have a parent or former guardian who has a home in Nebraska. This parent or guardian must genuinely intend to make Nebraska their permanent home.

Exemption 3: A student who isn't a resident of Nebraska moves here to marry someone who already lives in the state. The person they marry must have a home in Nebraska and genuinely plans to live there permanently. The student will need to show proof of their spouse's Nebraska residency.

Exemption 4: A student who is not a U.S. citizen must have applied for or have a pending petition to obtain lawful immigration status with the U.S. government. They also must have lived in Nebraska for at least 180 days (about six months) with the genuine goal of making it their permanent home. They will need to show proof of this. This rule does not apply to students mentioned in section (9) of the statute.

Exemption 5: A student is a Nebraska resident if they are a staff member at the University of Nebraska, a state college, or a community college, or if they are the dependent of a staff member. The student hired by qualifying institutions must have moved from another state to join the staff right before the term begins.

Exemption 6: Such student is on active duty with the armed services of the United States and has been assigned a permanent duty station in Nebraska; OR such student is a spouse or legal dependent of a person who was on active duty with the armed services of the United States assigned to a permanent duty station in Nebraska at the time such student was accepted for admission to the state post-secondary educational institution and such student remains continually enrolled at such state post-secondary educational institution; OR such student is currently serving in the Nebraska National Guard.

Exemption 7: A student can be considered a Nebraska resident for college tuition if they lived with a parent or guardian while attending a Nebraska school who are under section 79-1610 status high school and meet all of the following conditions:

They graduated from a high school in Nebraska or received a high school equivalency diploma in Nebraska.
They lived in Nebraska for at least three years before graduating or getting their diploma.
They started at a Nebraska college or university in the fall of 2006 or later.
They gave the college a signed document stating they will apply for permanent residency as soon as they are able to.

Exemption 8: Such student is qualified for a national service educational award or summer of service educational award from the National Service Trust pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 12602, as such section existed on January 1, 2021.

Recently Moved to Nebraska

If none of the exemptions above apply, a student who has recently moved to Nebraska may qualify for resident status after being habitually present in the state for at least 180 days and meeting all standard residency requirements. Residency eligibility begins with the academic term following the completion of the 180-day period. Residency is not applied retroactively.

Non-Nebraska Residents

Students who do not meet the criteria above are classified as non-residents and are assessed tuition according to the non-resident tuition schedule.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for Nebraska residency or have questions about your in-state status, you may review the applicable Nebraska statutes or contact Student Financial Services at studentfinancialservices@mccneb.edu for assistance.

First Responder Tuition Waiver

Under the Nebraska First Responder Recruitment & Retention Act, sworn law enforcement officers, firefighters, firefighter paramedics and their dependent(s) may be eligible for a waiver of 100% of their resident tuition charges for pursuing an associate or undergraduate degree that relates to their career in law enforcement or professional firefighter if the officer/firefighter:

Maintains satisfactory performance with his or her law enforcement agency or fire department (a new Certificate of Verification of satisfactory performance is required each academic year);
Meets any and all admission requirements of the state university, state college, or community college; and
Pursues studies leading to a degree that relates to a career in law enforcement or a professional firefighter from an associate or undergraduate degree program.

Eligible dependent students applying for this tuition waiver must:

Be pursuing an associate or undergraduate degree,
Meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy standards.
Be a legal dependent, defined as any person that meets the definition of a "dependent student" as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and who has at least one parent or legal guardian that qualifies as a law enforcement officer or professional firefighter in the State of Nebraska (must be a parent on the FAFSA).

The law enforcement officer, firefighter, firefighter-paramedic and their dependent(s) may receive the tuition waiver for up to 5 years if he or she otherwise continues to be eligible for participation.

MCC shall waive one hundred percent of the tuition remaining balance due after subtracting awarded federal financial aid grants and state scholarships and grants for an eligible law enforcement officer during the time the student is enrolled. To remain eligible, the law enforcement officer, firefighter, or firefighter-paramedic and their dependent(s) must comply with all requirements of the institution for continued attendance and award of an associate degree.

Visit the Nebraska Department of Revenue to submit an application and for detailed information regarding the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act.

Law Enforcement: To apply for this tuition waiver as a Nebraska law enforcement officer, please complete the Law Enforcement Tuition Waiver Application and Certificate of Verification form or the Dependent Law Enforcement Tuition Waiver Application and Certificate of Verification form.
Firefighters: To apply for this tuition waiver as a Nebraska firefighter or firefighter-paramedic, please complete the Firefighter Tuition Waiver Application and Certificate of Verification form or the Dependent Firefighter Tuition Waiver Application and Certificate of Verification form.

Please return your completed application to the MCC Financial Aid Office either by fax to 402-933-8437, USPS mail at PO Box 3777, Omaha, NE 68103-0777, or by turning it in to the Financial Aid Office in person.

Refund Policy

The last day to drop a class without being charged (Census Date) is listed in the Important Dates. Students must drop by 11:59 p.m. on that day to receive a full refund. After that, students will be charged for the class.

Note: Schedule changes may have implications for students on Financial Aid. Before any schedule changes, check with the Financial Aid office.

For additional information about your Financial Aid refund, please refer to the Major Financial Dates Calendar.

MCC delivers refunds through BankMobile Disbursements. Refund management coordination is subject to vendor terms and conditions.