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Nebraska Wesleyan University

#921 in US ranking Lincoln, NE
Type:
Private not-for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$57,378
Tuition & fees
$45,342
Avg. aid
$29,787
Receiving aid
100%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
80%
SAT range
1020–1290
ACT range
22–27

Outcomes

Graduation rate
66%
Median salary
$44,275
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Nebraska Wesleyan University?

Nebraska Wesleyan University (NWU) was founded in Lincoln in 1887 by Nebraska Methodists. Its history helps explain two features of the institution today: a continuing relationship with the United Methodist Church and an undergraduate education rooted in the liberal arts.

NWU began during a period of rapid settlement and higher-education growth in Nebraska. Over time, it expanded beyond its early curriculum to offer professional preparation and graduate study alongside arts and sciences programs. It remains an independent university rather than a campus of the University of Nebraska system.

What are the faculties and departments at Nebraska Wesleyan University?

Nebraska Wesleyan offers undergraduate programs across the liberal arts, sciences, and professional fields, as well as selected graduate programs. Prospective students will find majors such as biology, business, computer science, education, psychology, social work, theatre, and nursing-related pathways.

Academic departments and programs are a more useful way to explore NWU than assuming that every subject belongs to a separate professional school. For example, a student considering health care should distinguish a nursing degree from other health-related majors, while a prospective teacher should check the specific endorsement and licensure pathway attached to an education program. NWU also serves adult learners; program format, admission rules, and tuition can differ from those for traditional undergraduates.

The reported student-to-faculty ratio is 12 to 1. That describes enrollment relative to instructional staff, not the size of every class or a guarantee that every course will be taught by a full-time professor.

What is the location of Nebraska Wesleyan University?

Nebraska Wesleyan University is in Lincoln, Nebraska, on a campus in the city's northeast area. It is distinct from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, although students may encounter opportunities and resources elsewhere in the same city.

Lincoln provides access to employers, schools, health-care organizations, arts venues, and state-government offices that may be relevant to internships or fieldwork. Commuting arrangements matter: about 54% of students are reported as commuters, and first-year students are permitted to park a car on campus. Lincoln Airport (LNK) is the nearest airport, but students traveling longer distances may also compare flight options through Omaha and the ground trip from there.

What is the mission and vision of Nebraska Wesleyan University?

Nebraska Wesleyan describes its educational purpose in terms of learning across the liberal arts, personal development, and preparation for a meaningful life. Its United Methodist affiliation is part of the institution's identity; it does not mean every student must share a particular faith.

The practical academic implication is that students should expect requirements beyond their major, including work across different fields of knowledge. Mission statements express institutional aims, not measurable assurances about an individual student's experience. Applicants who want to understand how those aims operate should compare the current general-education requirements, campus activities, and policies for their intended program.

Nebraska Wesleyan University Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Large

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

1,000 - 4,999

Religious affiliation

Protestant (United Methodist Church)

School type

Four-year college

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1887

Nebraska Wesleyan University Accreditation

Nebraska Wesleyan 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.

Nebraska Wesleyan University Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconBachelor's degree
iconPostbaccalaureate certificate
iconMaster's degree
iconPost-master's certificate

Data 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.

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