University of Nebraska-Lincoln: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Nebraska-Lincoln admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 88%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1190 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,747 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.

What GPA does my child need for University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

53% of enrolled students at University of Nebraska-Lincoln had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.54, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.

What does University of Nebraska-Lincoln weight in admissions?

University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean

How University of Nebraska-Lincoln reads an application: what each weighting means for your child, plus waitlist, transfer and early-round odds

SAT and ACT scores University of Nebraska-Lincoln typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 538–660, with an EBRW midpoint near 605. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 22–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

Where admitted students ranked in their high school class

Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort, often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.

How much does University of Nebraska-Lincoln actually cost?

Published tuition is $10,434 for in-state students and $28,584 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $14,120 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $17,747 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 23% of students receive Pell Grants.

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Will my child graduate from University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

These predict outcomes at University of Nebraska-Lincoln better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates

Most popular majors at University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of Nebraska-Lincoln confers roughly 1,619 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $62,338 five years after entering college. What these figures mean

Is University of Nebraska-Lincoln safe? Campus crime & safety

In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Nebraska-Lincoln disclosed 44 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 2 violent offenses and 19 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts

What is campus life like at University of Nebraska-Lincoln?

About 52% of undergraduates at University of Nebraska-Lincoln live in campus housing, making it a largely residential campus. In Greek life, 30% of men join a fraternity and 37% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.

Other colleges in Nebraska parents ask about

• Creighton University
  80% acceptance
• Nebraska Wesleyan University
  80% acceptance

Colleges that admit at a similar rate

• Salisbury University
  87% acceptance · Maryland
• University of New Hampshire-Main Campus
  88% acceptance · New Hampshire
• Boise State University
  87% acceptance · Idaho
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
  88% acceptance · Alabama
• Washington State University
  87% acceptance · Washington
• University of Oregon
  88% acceptance · Oregon

Common questions parents ask about University of Nebraska-Lincoln