


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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
30% of admitted students enrolled (4,650 of 15,609)
Regular application deadline
May 1Application fee
$45Early Decision
NoEarly Action
NoMedian composite SAT score
1205Median composite ACT score
25Percent of students submitting ACT scores
81%Percent of students submitting SAT scores
7%High school completions
General Educational Development (GED) requiredComputer required
NoComputer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution
YesSecondary school GPA
Considered but not requiredSecondary school rank
Considered but not requiredSecondary school record
RequiredCompletion of college-preparatory program
Considered but not requiredRecommendations
Neither required nor recommendedFormal demonstration of competencies
Neither required nor recommendedAdmission test scores
Considered but not requiredTOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language
Considered but not requiredOther Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)
Neither required nor recommendedOpen admission policy
NoDual credit
NoCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
YesOrientation program
YesDisabilities services
YesOff-campus study
YesROTC-Army
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Navy
ROTC branch unit on campusROTC-Air Force
ROTC branch unit on campusStudy abroad
YesWeekend/evening college
YesStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
YesPreparation at another institution required
YesApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesGenerally accepts credits
YesAccept ACE recommendation for credit
YesPossible transfer
Fall, Spring, SummerData 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.