
Doane University is a private university founded in Crete, Nebraska, in 1872. It began as Doane College, with roots in the Congregationalist tradition, and adopted the name Doane University in 2016.
The name change reflected an institution that had grown beyond its original residential college model to offer graduate and adult-focused education alongside traditional undergraduate programs. That history helps explain why prospective students will find different academic schedules and delivery formats across Doane's programs.
Doane offers liberal arts and professional programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Its academic offerings include the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, education, business, health-related fields and the arts.
Representative undergraduate subjects include biology, business administration, psychology, accounting and education. Students considering a specialized field should distinguish a major from a preprofessional pathway: preparation for a profession does not, by itself, confer a professional license. Program location and format also matter. A course or degree offered through Doane's adult or online programs may not follow the same calendar as a residential program in Crete, so applicants should use the catalog for their intended program and entry year.
Doane's traditional residential campus is in Crete, Nebraska, a small city southwest of Lincoln. The university also serves students through programs in Lincoln and online; applicants should check where their particular degree requires them to attend classes.
Crete offers a smaller-community setting rather than an urban campus experience. Lincoln provides access to a larger employment market and regional services, but travel between the cities generally requires a car or another arranged ride. Lincoln Airport is the nearest major airport to the Crete campus; flight availability and onward transportation should be considered separately.
Doane describes its educational purpose as combining a liberal arts foundation with preparation for work and civic life. Its stated priorities include inquiry, ethical judgment, leadership and service.
The university's Congregationalist roots are part of its history, but prospective students should evaluate its current academic requirements and campus practices rather than assume that a historical affiliation determines their experience. Doane's mission is a statement of institutional aims, not a measured outcome for every student.
Name of the institution
Doane UniversityLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PrivateSetting type
Town: DistantInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999Religious affiliation
Protestant (United Church of Christ)School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1872Doane University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Post-master's certificate
Doctor's degree - research/scholarshipData last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.