Nebraska Wesleyan: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Officially Nebraska Wesleyan University · Lincoln, Nebraska · Private nonprofit · Open access

Acceptance rate
80%
Avg SAT
1189
In-state tuition
$43,572
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$18,327
after aid, what families pay

Ranked #34 (tie) in Regional Universities MidwestU.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027

Is Nebraska Wesleyan a reach, target or safety for your student?

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Quick answer

Nebraska Wesleyan is a private nonprofit university in Lincoln, Nebraska that admits about 80% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $18,327 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business/Commerce, General, Biology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 13.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.

Nebraska Wesleyan is a private institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. For the most recent reporting cycle, Nebraska Wesleyan admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 80%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1189 and an ACT composite around 26. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,327 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for Nebraska Wesleyan?

Nebraska Wesleyan has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

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SAT and ACT scores Nebraska Wesleyan typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 575. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–27. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

How much does Nebraska Wesleyan actually cost?

Published tuition is $43,572 for in-state students and $43,572 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $11,915 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,327 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 34% of students receive Pell Grants.

Average net price (after aid)$18,327
Financial aid formsFAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list

Most popular majors at Nebraska Wesleyan

The most popular undergraduate programs at Nebraska Wesleyan, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business/Commerce, General, Biology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. Across all programs, Nebraska Wesleyan confers roughly 285 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business/Commerce, General program report a median income of about $71,983 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

MajorGraduates / yearMedian earnings (5 yrs out)
Business/Commerce, General51$71,983
Biology, General50$68,036
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness43$60,778
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing34$83,400
Psychology, General30$50,051
Social Work28$49,893
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft25n/a
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods24n/a
Bachelor's-degree completions from federal IPEDS data; earnings from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Is Nebraska Wesleyan safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Nebraska Wesleyan disclosed 19 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 13.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 8 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

Total offenses
19
13.1 per 1,000 students
Violent crime
2
1.38 per 1,000
Sexual assault / VAWA
8
5.51 per 1,000
Burglary
4
reported incidents
Clery Act 2024, rates per 1,453 enrolled.

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Next steps for Nebraska Wesleyan

Common questions parents ask about Nebraska Wesleyan

What GPA do I need for Nebraska Wesleyan?

Nebraska Wesleyan has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.

What SAT or ACT score does Nebraska Wesleyan typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 530–630, with an EBRW midpoint near 575. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–27.

How much does Nebraska Wesleyan actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Nebraska Wesleyan after grants and scholarships is $18,327 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $43,572. Budget against the net figure.

Is Nebraska Wesleyan realistic for my child?

Nebraska Wesleyan admits 80% of applicants, so 530–630 SAT Math is target range and below 530 is a reach. Then check the $18,327 average net price against what your family can carry.

What is the acceptance rate at Nebraska Wesleyan?

Nebraska Wesleyan accepts about 80% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.

Is Nebraska Wesleyan a public or private school, and where is it located?

Nebraska Wesleyan is a private nonprofit institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska.

What are the most popular majors at Nebraska Wesleyan?

The largest undergraduate majors at Nebraska Wesleyan by annual graduates are Business/Commerce, General, Biology, General and Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. The school awards about 285 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.

Is Nebraska Wesleyan safe? What is its campus crime rate?

Nebraska Wesleyan reported 19 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 13.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.

Sources: the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers