Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the state's flagship public institution, occupies two connected campuses spanning 856 acres in Lincoln, Nebraska's capital city. The main City Campus features a mix of historic limestone buildings and modern facilities centered around a traditional collegiate quad, while the East Campus houses agricultural programs and research facilities. Founded in 1869 as a land-grant university, UNL maintains strong academic programs in agriculture, engineering, business, and journalism, with its actuarial science program particularly well-regarded nationally. The university, which maintains moderately selective admission standards, primarily houses first-year students in traditional residence halls across both campuses. As a member of the Big Ten Conference, UNL's Cornhuskers compete in NCAA Division I athletics, with the football program holding multiple national championships.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Nebraska is rated within the top 37% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Nebraska Lincoln within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#318 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#87 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in Nebraska
#1 in Best Public Colleges in Nebraska
#339 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Value Colleges in Nebraska
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1090/1330 |
| ACT | 22/28 |
| GPA | 3.63 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | May 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $45 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Nebraska Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| Other Fees | $2,098 |
| Room and Board | $13,856 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,442 |
| Total One Year Cost | $28,656 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| Other Fees | $2,098 |
| Room and Board | $13,856 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $3,442 |
| Total One Year Cost | $46,296 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 21% |
| Engineering | 9% |
| Work and Family Studies | 9% |
| Education | 8% |
| Agriculture | 7% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering Nebraska are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=181464 IPEDS survey data for University of Nebraska Lincoln.
Current students may use the University of Nebraska Lincoln GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025