Comparator Institutions

Nebraska Revised Statute §85-1413(5)(g) requires the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (CCPE) establish peer groups for Nebraska’s public institutions of higher education. The most recent review and identification of peer, or comparator, institutions occurred in spring 2025.

What are Comparator Institutions?

Comparator institutions are defined as institutions, in this case other two-year or community colleges, sufficiently similar in mission, location (urban vs. rural), program offerings, enrollment size, student demographics, budget makeup, and financial aid distribution, among other things. These variables are used to establish basic central tendencies for use in program reviews, budget analysis, tuition and fee comparison, facilities analysis, and similar types of comparisons. 

For all of the variables considered, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) serves as the data source for the evaluation of potential peer institutions.

Comparator institutions are not confined to a specific state or region so that they can be used in a broader context to benchmark institutional performance and aid in effective strategic planning processes.

Who are WNCC’s Comparator Institutions?

The following is the CCPE approved list of comparator institutions for WNCC.

              Bay de Noc Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                                   Escanaba, MI

              Coffeyville Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                                     Coffeyville, KS

              Marshalltown Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                               Marshalltown, IA

              Mid-Plains Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                                     North Platte, NE

              Neosho County Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                            Chanute, KS

              Northwest Iowa Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                            Sheldon, IA

              Pratt Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                                               Pratt, KS

              Southwestern Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                               Creston, IA

              Southwestern Oregon Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                 Coos Bay, OR

              Williston State College                                                    Williston, ND

              Alternates

              Lake Region State College                                              Devils Lake, ND

              North Country Â鶹¶ÌÊÓƵ College                              Saranac Lake, NY