Best Mechatronics Bachelor's Programs in Nebraska, Ranked (2026)

The best mechatronics bachelor's program in Nebraska, ranked

UNL Robotics Engineering is Nebraska's first and only mechatronics-titled engineering BS as of 2026. Strong public-tuition pricing, $25M federal Heartland Cluster grant backing, and direct ladder-up path from any of the four NE community college mechatronics AAS programs.

Lincoln, NE

BS in Robotics Engineering

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's BS in Robotics Engineering launched Fall 2025 as Nebraska's first robotics engineering bachelor's degree. Backed by a $25 million Heartland Robotics Cluster grant. Three focus areas: robot design, robot software, and robot sensors and signals. ABET-EAC accreditation pending first graduates.

Tuition

$10,771/yr

Duration

48 mo

Format

On-campus

Accred.

Regionally accredited (HLC)

Visit program page →

Overall

of 100

Click any factor for details

25% 70

15% 60

15% 65

15% 70

15% 50

10% 70

5% 65

Why Nebraska is increasingly a robotics and mechatronics state

Nebraska's manufacturing and corporate engineering base has been growing in robotics-relevant directions. Valmont Industries Omaha is a global leader in irrigation systems with extensive automation engineering. Lindsay Corp Omaha builds precision-agriculture irrigation with GPS-guided and software-driven control systems. Union Pacific Railroad Omaha runs rail-yard automation and locomotive maintenance robotics. Conagra Brands Omaha HQ runs food-processing automation engineering. Berkshire Hathaway, Kiewit Corporation, and broader Omaha corporate engineering add general-engineering demand.

The $25 million Heartland Robotics Cluster federal grant signals broader investment in NE's robotics network. Beyond UNL's BS program, the grant funds regional robotics research, workforce development partnerships with NE community colleges, and industry collaboration with Valmont, Lindsay, Conagra, and other major NE manufacturers. NE engineer wages run $95K-$105K median (SOC 17-2199), above national median, with NE cost of living at 92 percent of US average.

The Heartland Robotics Cluster: $25M behind Nebraska's robotics ambitions

The Heartland Robotics Cluster is a federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge investment focused on building Nebraska's robotics network. The $25 million grant is one of the larger federal robotics workforce investments in the Great Plains region. UNL is the academic lead; partners include Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Valmont Industries, Lindsay Corporation, Conagra Brands, and other major NE employers.

For students, the grant means three things. First, UNL's new Robotics Engineering BS gets sustained funding for faculty, lab equipment, and student support. Second, the grant funds expanded research opportunities for undergraduates (working alongside graduate students on industry-sponsored robotics projects). Third, the partnership network creates internship and co-op pipelines into the major NE robotics-relevant employers from day one. UNL Robotics Engineering students should expect strong early industry exposure.

UNL Robotics Engineering BS: structure and focus areas

University of Nebraska-Lincoln's BS in Robotics Engineering launched Fall 2025 as Nebraska's first robotics-titled engineering bachelor's degree. The curriculum integrates mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and dedicated robotics coursework. Students select among three focus areas in the upper division:

Robot design: mechanical systems, kinematics, dynamics, manipulator design, end-effector engineering. Closest to traditional mechatronics specialization.
Robot software: embedded software, ROS (Robot Operating System), control algorithms, autonomous navigation, machine learning for robotics.
Robot sensors and signals: sensor fusion, computer vision, LiDAR, signal processing, perception systems.

ABET-EAC accreditation is pending first graduates (expected 2029-2030, with formal accreditation typically following 1-2 years after). UNL has decades of ABET accreditation experience in mechanical, electrical, civil, and computer engineering programs and built the robotics curriculum to ABET-EAC standards from the start. The accreditation risk for early cohorts is mostly timing-related (retroactive accreditation date for FE exam eligibility) rather than fundamental program quality concerns.

Top Nebraska employers hiring mechatronics engineers

Valmont Industries (Omaha)

Global leader in irrigation systems, lighting structures, and infrastructure. Mechatronics engineering across precision-agriculture irrigation electronics and large-scale infrastructure automation.

Lindsay Corporation (Omaha)

Precision-agriculture irrigation. GPS-guided systems, software-driven control electronics, autonomous irrigation engineering.

Union Pacific Railroad (Omaha HQ)

Largest US railroad. Rail-yard automation, locomotive maintenance robotics, signal-system engineering across the national network.

Conagra Brands (Omaha HQ)

Food-processing automation engineering. Corporate-tier engineering positions across packaging, processing, and distribution.

Berkshire Hathaway + Kiewit Corporation (Omaha)

Berkshire-owned subsidiaries plus Kiewit's construction and engineering arms create broader engineering positions for UNL graduates.

Behlen Manufacturing (Columbus) + Reinke Manufacturing (Deshler)

Mid-NE ag-equipment and steel building manufacturers. Engineering positions in product development and manufacturing automation.

Streck + Bryan Health + Mary Lanning Healthcare (medical and healthcare)

Smaller but real medical device and healthcare-technology engineering positions across NE.

National labs + research partnerships (out-of-state continuation)

UNL Robotics graduates have natural pathways into national labs (Sandia NM, Argonne IL, ORNL TN), aerospace firms, and the broader US robotics research network for students continuing to graduate school or research careers.

Mechatronics engineer salary in Nebraska

Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141) in NE: median around $85,000 to $95,000.
Engineers, All Other (SOC 17-2199, includes mechatronics) in NE: median around $95,000 to $105,000.
Electrical Engineers (SOC 17-2071) in NE: median around $95,000 to $105,000.
Entry-level BS graduates typically start around $70,000 to $82,000. Union Pacific, Valmont, Lindsay Corp, Conagra, Berkshire-Hathaway-owned firms pay at the upper end.
Cost of living in Nebraska runs around 92 percent of US average. Omaha and Lincoln at 95-100 percent. Rural NE at 85-90 percent. Strong purchasing-power outcomes.

Paying for a Nebraska mechatronics bachelor's

UNL in-state tuition: around $10,771/year. Four-year total around $43,000.
UNL out-of-state tuition: around $30,000/year. Or near in-state via Nebraska Advantage Scholarship for students from selected neighboring states.
Heartland Cluster-funded scholarships: UNL Robotics Engineering students may have access to industry-funded scholarships through the Heartland Cluster partner network.
Federal Pell Grants: up to $7,395/year for eligible students.
Nebraska Opportunity Grant: state need-based aid for NE residents.
CC AAS + UNL BS combined cost: around $50K-$55K in-state for the full sequence.

How we ranked Nebraska mechatronics programs

Every program scored on our 7-factor methodology: accreditation (25 percent), program leadership (15 percent), pathways and laddering (15 percent), delivery format (15 percent), employer signal (15 percent), cost and affordability (10 percent), reputation (5 percent). See the full methodology breakdown. UNL Robotics Engineering scores high on program leadership (Nebraska's first robotics BS, $25 million federal Heartland Cluster backing) and cost (public-tuition pricing). It takes a hit on accreditation (ABET pending first graduates) and pathways (very new program, ladder paths still being established). The single-program ranking reflects NE's thin BS-level coverage; AAS-level coverage is much deeper.

Nebraska mechatronics bachelor's: frequently asked questions

Where can I study mechatronics engineering in Nebraska?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln runs Nebraska's first robotics engineering bachelor's degree, launched Fall 2025. The BS in Robotics Engineering is backed by a $25 million Heartland Robotics Cluster grant and offers three focus areas: robot design, robot software, and robot sensors and signals. ABET-EAC accreditation pending first graduates. UNO and UNL also run robotics engineering minors that pair with traditional ME or EE degrees. For students wanting an established ABET-accredited engineering BS with mechatronics electives, UNL's traditional Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering programs are the alternatives.

What is the Heartland Robotics Cluster?

The Heartland Robotics Cluster is a $25 million federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge investment focused on building Nebraska's robotics network. The grant funds UNL's Robotics Engineering BS program plus broader regional robotics research, workforce development, and industry partnerships. UNL is the academic lead; partners include Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Conagra, Valmont, Lindsay Corp, and other major NE manufacturers.

What does a Nebraska mechatronics engineer earn?

BLS state OEWS for SOC 17-2199 (Engineers, All Other) in NE shows median wages around $95,000 to $105,000. SOC 17-2141 (Mechanical Engineers) in NE runs $85,000 to $95,000 median. Entry-level BS graduates start around $70,000 to $82,000. Union Pacific Omaha, Valmont Industries, Lindsay Corp, ConAgra, Berkshire Hathaway, Kiewit pay at the upper end. NE cost of living runs around 92 percent of US average, with Omaha and Lincoln at 95-100 percent.

Is UNL's program too new to be a safe choice?

It's new but not risky. UNL launched the BS in Robotics Engineering Fall 2025 with first graduates expected 2029. ABET-EAC accreditation typically follows 1-2 years after first graduates, so accreditation should be in place for the 2030-2031 graduating class. Early cohorts may need to wait for retroactive accreditation date for FE exam eligibility, which is the main practical risk. UNL has decades of experience running ABET-accredited engineering programs (mechanical, electrical, civil, computer) and built the robotics curriculum to ABET-EAC standards from the start.

Should I do UNL Robotics or transfer out-of-state for mechatronics?

Depends on your priorities. UNL Robotics is Nebraska's only in-state robotics-titled engineering BS, with public-tuition pricing and the Heartland Cluster industry network backing it. Out-of-state alternatives to consider for ABET-EAC accredited mechatronics specifically: NIU and SIU Edwardsville in Illinois (both EAC mechatronics), Anderson University in Indiana (private EAC mechatronics), Kennesaw State Georgia (EAC mechatronics, largest mechatronics BS by enrollment in US), CSU Pueblo Colorado (only EAC mechatronics in CO, WICHE WRGP eligible for NE residents at near in-state rates). NE residents typically pick UNL if cost is a primary factor and they're OK with the new-program timing.

Sources

BLS OEWS for SOC 17-2141, 17-2199, 17-2071 in Nebraska, May 2024 release.
UNL Robotics Engineering BS.
UNL Robotics Engineering launch announcement.
Nebraska Department of Economic Development: state manufacturing and engineering employment data.
ABET Accredited Program Search for NE engineering programs.
HLC: Higher Learning Commission institutional accreditation for UNL.