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University of Nebraska-Lincoln

#124 in US ranking Lincoln, NE
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln award
University of Nebraska-Lincoln award

Cost

Cost / year
$26,535
Tuition & fees
$10,854
Avg. aid
$10,570
Receiving aid
96%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
87%
SAT range
1098–1330
ACT range
22–28

Outcomes

Graduation rate
67%
Median salary
$48,006
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole; it is distinct from approval or accreditation of an individual degree program.

Institutional accreditation is important for eligibility to participate in federal student-aid programs. It can also matter when students seek to transfer credit or enter further study, though another institution decides which credits it will accept. Selected Nebraska-Lincoln programs have additional professional accreditation or approval - for example, applicable engineering programs, business programs, architecture, journalism, and law have field-specific oversight. Students pursuing a license should verify the particular program, credential, and state licensing rules rather than assuming institutional accreditation alone satisfies them.

What are the admission requirements at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

First-year applicants generally apply to Nebraska-Lincoln with a secondary-school academic record showing graduation or an accepted equivalent, such as a GED. The university is not open admission: it reviews applicants against its published academic preparation and admission criteria.

The university's college-preparatory expectations cover English, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and world language. Standardized ACT or SAT scores are considered when submitted but are not generally required for admission; applicants should check whether a particular scholarship or program uses scores differently. Recommendations are not a standard undergraduate admission requirement. Applicants whose first language is not English may need to demonstrate English proficiency under the university's international-admission rules.

In the reported first-year admissions cycle, Nebraska-Lincoln admitted 15,609 of 17,841 applicants, an acceptance rate of about 87%. That describes an earlier applicant pool, not an individual applicant's odds. Students should check the admissions calendar for their entry term, especially if they need scholarship consideration, housing, or entry to a program with additional requirements.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

The reported undergraduate application fee is $45. An application fee is a charge for processing an application; it is separate from tuition, an enrollment deposit, or housing charges.

Applicants with financial need may qualify for an application-fee waiver through the university's admissions process or an accepted fee-waiver request. Eligibility and the way a waiver is entered can differ by application route or applicant category. An applicant seeking a waiver should confirm the instructions before submitting payment, because paying first may not be reversible. Transfer, international, graduate, and law applicants should check the fee shown for their own application rather than assume the undergraduate amount applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

Students can pursue Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC through units on the Nebraska-Lincoln campus. These are officer-training programs alongside a student's academic degree, not substitutes for admission to the university or completion of a major.

Participation, scholarship eligibility, fitness and medical standards, and eventual service obligations depend on the branch and the student's status. Taking an introductory ROTC course does not necessarily carry the same commitment as accepting a scholarship or entering a commissioning contract. Interested applicants should speak with the relevant campus ROTC unit about its current application steps and review the service terms before committing.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

Nebraska-Lincoln accepts transfer applications and generally considers coursework from other accredited colleges and universities. Transfer admission and transfer-credit acceptance are separate decisions: being admitted does not mean every prior course will meet a major or graduation requirement.

Transfer applicants should expect to submit official transcripts from every college attended. High school records may also be relevant, particularly for applicants with limited completed college coursework. The university accepts transfer entrants for fall, spring, and summer, but deadlines and requirements can differ for scholarships and particular programs. Nebraska-Lincoln also recognizes some examination and other evaluated credit, including AP, CLEP, and qualifying military-related learning, subject to its credit policies.

Before enrolling, students can use the university's transfer-equivalency resources to estimate how courses may apply, then request an official evaluation and discuss the results with an adviser in the intended college. A course that transfers as elective credit may not replace a required major course; upper-level, residency, and professional-program rules can further affect the remaining time to degree.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

Nebraska-Lincoln students can explore education abroad through university-organized opportunities and approved programs offered with partners. Options can include faculty-led short programs as well as longer study or experiential-learning placements, depending on the major and destination.

The key academic question is not simply whether a program offers college credit, but how that credit will satisfy Nebraska-Lincoln requirements. Students should arrange course approval with their academic adviser and the university's education-abroad staff before departure. They should also compare program charges, travel costs, scholarships, and the rules for using their financial aid abroad. Visa, passport, health, and safety requirements vary by country and program.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Admissions Factors

SAT range
1098–1330
4001600
ACT range
22–28
136
Acceptance rate
87%

Acceptance rate vs. median

This school
87%
Nebraska
79%
US
78%

30% of admitted students enrolled (4,650 of 15,609)

ACT scores of enrolled students

ACT in range 12-17
ACT in range 18-23
ACT in range 24-29
ACT in range 30-36

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Admissions

Applicants
Total: 17,841
Admission
Total: 15,609
Enrolled
Total: 4,650
Women
Men

How to Apply to University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Regular application deadline

May 1

Application fee

$45

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

University of Nebraska-Lincoln First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 3,546
Out-of-state: 1,033
International: 65

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 4,650
Transfer: 744

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1205

Median composite ACT score

25

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

81%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

7%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

Yes

Secondary school GPA

Considered but not required

Secondary school rank

Considered but not required

Secondary school record

Required

Completion of college-preparatory program

Considered but not required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Formal demonstration of competencies

Neither required nor recommended

Admission test scores

Considered but not required

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language

Considered but not required

Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Neither required nor recommended

Open admission policy

No

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

No

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

Yes

Off-campus study

Yes

ROTC-Army

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Navy

ROTC branch unit on campus

ROTC-Air Force

ROTC branch unit on campus

Study abroad

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

Yes

Preparation at another institution required

Yes

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

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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