1400 R Street, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) was established in 1869 by the Nebraska legislature as a Morrill Act land grant institution. Since its inception, the university has been open to all individuals, regardless of their "age, sex, color, or nationality." As the oldest university in the state, UNL serves as the flagship institution of the state-wide system.
In its early years, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln faced numerous challenges, including leaky roofs, cold classrooms, and a traditional memorize-and-recite teaching approach. Despite these obstacles, the university persevered and grew over time. Initially, UNL had only one building, which was visible from the tower of the state capitol in Lincoln in 1872. The university began with just twenty students taking college courses, choosing from three course paths. During this period, UNL faced criticism from the community and struggled to prove its worth. However, the institution made significant progress in its first twenty years, laying the foundation for the university we see today.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln was tasked with educating a new state that was barely connected by roads and rail lines. It was established as a comprehensive university, uniting the arts and sciences, commerce, and agriculture. The institution's motto, Literis dedicata et omnibus artibus, translates to "dedicated to letters and all the arts." Initially, the university was confined to four city blocks and did not have a building until 1871. Despite humble beginnings, the high aspirations of the state began to materialize.
Throughout its history, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has faced battles between its regents, administration, faculty, and students over matters such as the university's purpose, shape, and destination. Nevertheless, UNL has made significant contributions to Nebraska, from early experiments in sugar beet cultivation to the national fame of its football team. The education of generations of Nebraskans has elevated state goals and achievements, and the university's outreach has created an international community.
Today, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is organized into nine colleges, offering over two hundred degrees across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The institution operates three campuses, spanning a combined 2,815 acres. The City Campus, located in Lincoln, Nebraska, serves as the main campus. In 1954, the university established NETV (now Nebraska Public Media) on what was then Farm Campus. Initially a television station broadcasting local programming, the network has expanded to service all of Nebraska and is a member of the Public Broadcasting Service. Its radio stations, established in 1989, are members of National Public Radio.
Since honoring its first graduating class in 1873, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has issued over 300,000 degrees. Among its graduates are three Nobel laureates, four Pulitzer Prize winners, one Turing Award winner, twenty-two Rhodes Scholars, and fifteen state governors.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln comprises nine colleges, each offering a variety of programs for students to choose from. These colleges include the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, the College of Architecture, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education and Human Sciences, the College of Engineering, the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, and the College of Law.
Within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, students can pursue programs in fields such as agricultural economics, agronomy, animal science, entomology, food science and technology, horticulture, natural resources, and veterinary science. The College of Architecture offers programs in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture.
The College of Arts and Sciences provides a diverse range of programs, including anthropology, biology, chemistry, classics and religious studies, computer science, English, history, mathematics, modern languages and literatures, philosophy, physics and astronomy, political science, psychology, and sociology. The College of Business offers programs in accounting, economics, finance, management, marketing, and supply chain management.
The College of Education and Human Sciences features programs in child, youth and family studies, communication sciences and disorders, educational administration, educational psychology, nutrition and health sciences, special education and communication disorders, and teaching, learning and teacher education. The College of Engineering provides programs in biological systems engineering, chemical and biomolecular engineering, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical and computer engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical and materials engineering.
The Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts offers programs in art and art history, music, and theatre and film. Lastly, the College of Journalism and Mass Communications provides programs in advertising and public relations, broadcasting, journalism, and sports media and communication.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is situated in the city of Lincoln, the capital of Nebraska, a state in the Midwest region of the United States. The campus encompasses three distinct locations, with the primary City Campus covering 249 acres. Additionally, there are the East Campus and Nebraska Innovation Campus. The university's address is 14th and R Streets, with a ZIP Code of 68588. For those traveling by air, the nearest airport is Lincoln Municipal.
As the oldest university in Nebraska, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln serves as the flagship institution of the state-wide system. It has grown significantly since its construction began in 1869, now spanning a total area of 2,815 acres.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has a well-defined mission and vision that directs its actions and decisions. As a land-grant, comprehensive research university, its mission is to teach, conduct research, and serve the people of Nebraska. The university strives to offer accessible and exceptional education to a diverse student population, create new knowledge through research and creative activities, and engage with communities to enhance their quality of life. The vision of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is to position itself at the forefront of public higher education by excelling in teaching, research, and engagement, while achieving national and international recognition and serving the needs of all Nebraskans.
The core values of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reflect its commitment as a land-grant, comprehensive research university. These values encompass learning that prepares students for lifelong success and leadership, uncompromised excellence, achievement celebrated in a supportive environment, diversity of ideas and people, engagement with academic, business, and civic communities in Nebraska and around the world, research and creative activities that inform teaching and contribute to economic prosperity and quality of life, and responsible stewardship of human, financial, and physical resources.
The strategic plan of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln aligns with the University of Nebraska System's Five Year Plan and the top strategic goals of the campuses it serves. The university's five main priorities include providing accessible, affordable, and attainable education, meeting Nebraska's workforce needs, fostering an inclusive culture and environment, enhancing its impact through partnerships, and maximizing efficiency and effectiveness. The mission and vision of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln demonstrate its dedication to transforming lives and communities in Nebraska and around the world through education, research, and engagement.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln holds regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission. This prestigious accreditation is maintained through comprehensive evaluations, such as the one conducted in 2016-2017, which assessed the strengths of the university's educational programs. A peer review team from the Higher Learning Commission carried out this evaluation, ensuring the institution's compliance with the five criteria established by the HLC.
In addition to its regional accreditation, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln also boasts specialized accreditations from various organizations. These include the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Bar Association, and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Furthermore, the university's degree-granting schools and departments in Art and other fields have received specialized accreditations from different agencies. This wide range of accreditations demonstrates the high quality of education offered at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and can be a significant factor for prospective students when choosing the right college or university for themselves.
Name of the institution
University of Nebraska-LincolnLevel of institution
Four or more yearsGranulation by control over the institution (public/private)
PublicSchool type
UniversitySetting type
City: LargeCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1869Institution size category
20,000 and aboveMain student body
CoeducationalInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or aboveDegrees
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
$42,097Architecture and Related Services
$38,507Biological and Biomedical Sciences
$28,484Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
$47,361Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
$36,011Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
$69,494Education
$38,855Engineering
$63,687Engineering/Engineering-related Technologies/Technicians
$64,186English Language and Literature/Letters
$29,858Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
$30,139Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
$30,166History
$29,928Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services
$38,958Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
$28,606Natural Resources and Conservation
$29,641Psychology
$27,999Social Sciences
$31,639Visual and Performing Arts
$22,271