About University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Cornhuskers serve nearly 19,000 students in Nebraska's capital city. This Big Ten research university built its reputation on agriculture and engineering, though it's equally famous for producing Warren Buffett and a historically dominant football program. The campus attracts students from across the Midwest, with 73% coming from in-state.
Students pay an average net price of $17,424 after aid. Out-of-state families face steeper costs at $27,748 for tuition alone, but Nebraska keeps education accessible for lower-income students with net prices around $11,899 for families earning under $30,000. Graduates earn a median of $56,887 ten years after leaving, carrying typical debt loads of $21,000. The monthly loan payment of $223 represents a manageable burden given career outcomes.
The Huskers compete in 20 Division I sports with athletic scholarships totaling over $13 million. Football dominates campus culture during fall, though the program hasn't reached its championship heights of the 1990s. Students benefit from a strong alumni network throughout the Great Plains region. The 66% six-year graduation rate trails national averages, but 97% of graduates find employment. Housing fills quickly with capacity for only 5,814 students on a campus serving nearly 19,000.
Students pay an average net price of $17,424 after aid. Out-of-state families face steeper costs at $27,748 for tuition alone, but Nebraska keeps education accessible for lower-income students with net prices around $11,899 for families earning under $30,000. Graduates earn a median of $56,887 ten years after leaving, carrying typical debt loads of $21,000. The monthly loan payment of $223 represents a manageable burden given career outcomes.
The Huskers compete in 20 Division I sports with athletic scholarships totaling over $13 million. Football dominates campus culture during fall, though the program hasn't reached its championship heights of the 1990s. Students benefit from a strong alumni network throughout the Great Plains region. The 66% six-year graduation rate trails national averages, but 97% of graduates find employment. Housing fills quickly with capacity for only 5,814 students on a campus serving nearly 19,000.
Academics & Faculty
Nebraska-Lincoln operates as a major research university with particularly strong programs in agriculture, business, and engineering. The university's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources ranks among the nation's top programs, reflecting the state's agricultural heritage. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, students get more personal attention than at many large public universities. The 65.8% six-year graduation rate suggests students need extra support to finish their degrees. Nebraska's business school produces notable graduates like Warren Buffett, while the journalism program has a strong national reputation. Research opportunities abound across the university's many institutes, giving undergraduates chances to work alongside faculty on meaningful projects.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 16:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 84.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 65.4%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 65.8%
- Retention Rate
- 84.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $56,887
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R1)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General. | Master | $106,421 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $91,017 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $78,134 |
| Education, Other. | Doctoral | $72,325 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $71,015 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,680 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Doctoral | $70,176 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $68,918 |
| Agricultural Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,324 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor | $66,821 |
Campus Life
Nebraska's 18,887 students experience Big Ten college life in Lincoln, a city of 300,000 about an hour from Omaha. The campus sits in downtown Lincoln, where red-brick buildings mix with modern facilities across 623 acres. With housing capacity for 5,814 students, about one-third live on campus in residence halls that buzz with Cornhusker pride. Nebraska winters demand heavy coats and snow boots, while spring brings football recruiting excitement and students throwing frisbees on the quad.
Saturday football games at Memorial Stadium unite the entire campus, where 85,000 fans create the state's third-largest city on game days. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, especially in the well-known agriculture and engineering programs that built Nebraska's reputation. Students spend weekends at house parties in the Haymarket District, studying in Love Library, or road-tripping to Kansas City or Denver. The 84.27% retention rate reflects students who find their tribe among fraternities, sororities, and 400+ student organizations that thrive in this college town atmosphere.
Saturday football games at Memorial Stadium unite the entire campus, where 85,000 fans create the state's third-largest city on game days. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name, especially in the well-known agriculture and engineering programs that built Nebraska's reputation. Students spend weekends at house parties in the Haymarket District, studying in Love Library, or road-tripping to Kansas City or Denver. The 84.27% retention rate reflects students who find their tribe among fraternities, sororities, and 400+ student organizations that thrive in this college town atmosphere.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 5,814 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
135 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence | 17 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
| Rape | 12 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Burglary | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 10 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Stalking | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 13°–35°F
- July Avg
- 66°–88°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 30.9"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
The Cornhuskers draw a loyal Nebraska crowd, with nearly three-quarters of students coming from in-state. This reflects UNL's role as the state's flagship university and agricultural powerhouse. The gender split runs nearly even at just over 50% women, typical for a full research university. About one in five students receives Pell Grants, showing the school serves working-class families across rural and urban Nebraska. The student body of nearly 19,000 creates a classic Big Ten atmosphere while maintaining the university's deep roots in Great Plains agriculture and engineering.
- Men
- 49.7%
- Women
- 50.4%
- White
- 76.1%
- Black
- 2.9%
- Hispanic
- 9.1%
- Asian
- 4.0%
- In-State Students
- 72.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 22.2%
Location
Lincoln sits in southeastern Nebraska, about 60 miles southwest of Omaha, the state's largest city. The campus sprawls across a city of roughly 295,000 residents, making it Nebraska's second-largest metropolitan area. Lincoln functions as both the state capital and a quintessential college town, where university life shapes much of the local culture and economy. The surrounding Great Plains landscape features rolling farmland that stretches to the horizon, reflecting Nebraska's agricultural heritage that the university celebrates through its well-known programs. Downtown Lincoln offers a mix of government buildings, local businesses, and student-friendly establishments within walking distance of campus. Students considering colleges in Nebraska may also compare University of Nebraska-Lincoln with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0419
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $56,887
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $59,589
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $39,900
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 74.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $223/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $21,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln accepts 78.64% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1225. The school maintains accessible admissions while drawing from a strong in-state applicant pool, with 72.94% of students coming from Nebraska.
How much does University of Nebraska-Lincoln cost after financial aid?
The average net price is $17,424, though costs vary by family income. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $11,899 after aid, while those from higher-income families pay up to $22,012.
What is University of Nebraska-Lincoln known for academically?
The university maintains a 16:1 student-faculty ratio and is particularly well-known for its agricultural programs. As a major research institution, it offers strong programs across multiple disciplines while serving as Nebraska's flagship university.
What are the career outcomes for University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduates?
Graduates earn a median salary of $56,887 ten years after graduation with typical student debt of $21,000. The employment rate reaches 97.4%, reflecting strong job placement in the Midwest and beyond.
Where do students live at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
The campus houses 5,814 students in on-campus facilities with room and board costing $13,856. Located in Lincoln, a large city environment, students experience the benefits of both campus life and urban amenities.
How successful is University of Nebraska-Lincoln's athletics program?
The Cornhuskers compete in the Big Ten Conference with 20 varsity sports and 611 total athletes. The program awards $13,377,929 in athletic scholarships, with football being historically dominant and a source of tremendous school pride.
