University of Nebraska-Lincoln

College Consensus
•AVERAGE: 69.5

31.4

Publisher Consensus
•AVERAGE: 59.4

78.6

Student Consensus
•AVERAGE: 77.4

Publisher Ratings

38.3

U.S. News - National Universities

33.6

Washington Monthly National

22.2

Forbes

Student Reviews

U.S. News - Reviews

83.5

Unigo

82.2

Grad Reports

75.2

Niche

64.3

My Plan

Scores last updated on January 6, 2024

80%

Percent Admitted

40%

4-year Graduation Rate

23,810

Enrollment

20.0:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

$11,060

Average Undergraduate Students Aid

$9,870

In-State Tuition and Fees

$26,980

Out-of-State Tuition and Fees

= Average

Sector

Public, 4-year or above

Carnegie Classification

Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity

Religious Affiliation

Not applicable

Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Nebraska’s first and oldest university, the flagship University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a major public research university known for agriculture, engineering, and digital humanities. The state of Nebraska was only two years old when UN was founded, in 1869, under a federal land-grant, establishing its mission in agriculture and mechanical arts. An innovator from the beginning, the University of Nebraska revolutionized agriculture in America’s Heartland and set the stage for modern ecology with the Nebraska Method. Today, UNL is recognized by publications like U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review as one of the leading public research universities in the nation, at the highest Carnegie Classification level, and is central to cultural and educational life in the Midwest.

Academic Programs

As a large, land-grant university, UNL’s mission is focused on research and learning, but unlike other institutions of its size, which rely on graduate students and faculty for research, UNL emphasizes undergraduate research as well. Programs like the UCARE (Undergraduate Creative Activities & Research Experiences) pairs students with faculty mentors for real-world, productive research and projects, giving undergraduates intensive experience and a significant advantage when applying to graduate programs or employment in a scientific or social science field. UNL is a comprehensive university, and the first school west of the Mississippi to develop a graduate college and award doctoral degrees. Graduate programs and professional programs at UNL, including areas like law, architecture, and veterinary science, are recognized among the best in the region, and UNL has long been seen as a source of leadership in education, government, and business for the state and the Midwest. UNL’s goal of $300 million in research expenditures by 2018 means more students than ever will get to take part in the most current knowledge production and work to build the future.

Student Life

With nearly 26,000 students, UNL offers all of the resources, amenities, and opportunities that only a major university can. Hundreds of student organizations, groups, and clubs means that no one ever needs to be bored or wonder how to spend their time; whether community service, hobbies, recreation, or political action, there’s a group for it. Lincoln, as a growing city of 300,000, offers even more, including one of the largest proportions of parkland in the nation. Lincoln has been named one of the best places to live and work in America, and a growing tech industry, low cost of living, and healthy environment means many graduates never leave. UNL, of course, is also known nationally for the Cornhuskers, part of the NCAA Division I Big Ten conference. With more than 20 varsity teams, athletics is a big part of life at UNL, and Cornhuskers Basketball and Football is no small part of Lincoln’s identity as a city. Men’s baseball and wrestling, and women’s volleyball have also been legendary on a national level. Nebraska fandom – often called the Sea of Red – is famously loyal, with high numbers of traveling fans at away games, and a national reputation for good sportsmanship, respect, and dignity – sometimes rare in big-time college sports.

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