Nebraska Community Colleges
Liberal Arts Programs
Liberal-arts transfer programs at community colleges in this state. English, history, philosophy, and the social sciences for university transfer.
8 colleges · 849 sections · 83 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
The liberal-arts associate at Nebraska community colleges is the most common transfer degree in the NCCA system. It's designed as a complete 2-year general-education foundation — English composition, history, math, lab science, social science, fine arts — that articulates to any four-year university in the state. Students complete two years at community-college tuition rates and arrive at the bachelor's program as juniors with sophomore standing in their declared major.
This term's 849 sections across 8 NCCA colleges fill those general-education buckets. The right college often comes down to schedule (online availability, evening sections) and proximity rather than program differences — the curriculum is intentionally similar across institutions to keep the transfer guarantee working. Compare colleges below by section count and transfer agreements.
Colleges offering Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southeast Community College Area | 294 | 33 | — |
| Metropolitan Community College Area | 176 | 33 | 64 |
| Central Community College | 130 | 13 | 29 |
| Mid-Plains Community College | 127 | 17 | 28 |
| Northeast Community College | 74 | 18 | 31 |
| Western Nebraska Community College | 32 | 6 | 14 |
| Nebraska Indian Community College | 12 | 6 | 2 |
| Little Priest Tribal College | 4 | 4 | 1 |
Liberal Arts Availability Snapshot
How liberal arts sections are being offered across 8 colleges in Nebraska this term (849 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person667 (79%)
- online152 (18%)
- zoom17 (2%)
- hybrid13 (2%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)308
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)148
- Evening (5 PM and after)70
- Asynchronous / TBA323
Start dates
Sections begin on 20 distinct dates. 216 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 193 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Western Nebraska Community College1 program
Powered by Modern Campus Catalog™.
Plan all required coursesAA General Education Core: 31 Credits
31 creditsSee catalog for course list
Required Social Science Core: 18 Credits
18 creditsSee catalog for course list
Choose 11 credits from 9 approved courses
Catalog group: Recommended Elective Courses: 11 Credits
Total AA Requirements: 60-61 Credits
60 creditsSee catalog for course list
1st Semester
3rd Semester
Source: College catalog
Common Liberal Arts courses
- ENGL 1010English Composition I(295 sections)
- ENGL 1020English Composition II(83 sections)
- HIST 2010American History I(63 sections)
- ENGL 0960Reading & Writing Essentials I(39 sections)
- PHIL 1010Introduction to Philosophy(25 sections)
- ENGL 1110Business Communication(20 sections)
- HIST 2020American History II(20 sections)
- ENGL 1011English Comp I With Studio(18 sections)
- ENGL 1054Writing and Communities(16 sections)
- ENGL 0985Inter College Reading/Writing(15 sections)
- ENGL 1000Applied Writing(12 sections)
- ENGL 0990College Prep Writing(12 sections)
Frequently asked questions
- What is a liberal-arts degree good for?
- Almost exclusively transfer. The liberal-arts AA isn't a career-track degree on its own; it's the first two years of a bachelor's, packaged so you can complete it at much lower tuition before moving to a four-year school. The major you eventually declare at the four-year (English, history, sociology, psychology, business, etc.) determines your career path.
- Will all my liberal-arts credits transfer to a Nebraska four-year university?
- If you complete the full associate of arts at a NCCA college, yes — under Nebraska's statewide articulation agreement, the entire degree transfers as a block to any public four-year, giving you junior standing. Where students lose credits is by taking random courses outside the structured AA pathway. Talk to your transfer advisor early.
- Can I save money by doing my first two years at community college?
- Yes, often substantially. Nebraska community college tuition is typically less than half what a state university charges, and the credits transfer 1:1 if you stick to the structured AA. Two years of saved tuition often translates to $20–40k less debt at graduation.
- How long does the liberal-arts associate take?
- Two years full-time (60 credits). Many students complete it in three or more years on a part-time schedule — community colleges build their evening, weekend, and online sections around working students.
Compare Liberal Arts programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Nebraska’s liberal arts programs stack up.
Other programs in Nebraska
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.