Getting in
For Fall 2025, 18,648 first-year students applied to Nebraska, 16,372 were admitted and 4,734 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 87.8%.
Source: UNL Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 9,229 | 8,169 | 88.5% |
| Out-of-state | 8,413 | 7,673 | 91.2% |
| International | 1,006 | 530 | 52.7% |
Source: UNL Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. UNL's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by college or major.
Source: UNL Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early plans. UNL has no early decision or early action plan; its Common Data Set says admission decisions go out on a rolling basis starting August 1. The November 1 priority deadline sets when you hear about scholarships, not an early decision.
Source: UNL Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
You are guaranteed admission to UNL if you meet its core course requirements and one performance requirement. Some colleges and programs ask for more; if you do not meet a college's added requirements, you start in the Explore Center and move into that college once you do.
- College of Architecture. Four units of math through pre-calculus or trigonometry (or calculus), an ACT composite of 22 or SAT of 1110, and either the upper 25 percent of your class or a 3.2 GPA.
- College of Engineering. Four units of math through pre-calculus or trigonometry (or calculus) and three units of science (chemistry, physics, and biology or earth science), plus one of: ACT composite 24, SAT 1180, ACT math 24, SAT math 580, or a 3.5 GPA.
- Music and dance. Auditions are required.
- Acting. Auditions are required, through the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.
- Entertainment Design and Production, Emerging Media Arts. An application and a portfolio are required.
- PGA Golf Management. A 12 handicap is required to enter the program.
- Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, Nebraska Business Honors Academy. Separate applications, due November 15, 2026.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Art and art history take no audition or special application; a portfolio review is optional and only for added scholarships.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Admission Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
124 majors across 9 schools. Every bachelor's degree major in UNL's official undergraduate catalog, grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors, certificates, pre-professional and non-degree programs, and graduate programs are left out.
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources20
- Agribusiness (Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness)
- Agricultural Economics (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics)
- Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication)
- Agricultural Systems Technology (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems Technology)
- Agronomy (Bachelor of Science in Agronomy)
- Animal Science (Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences)
- Biochemistry (Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry)
- Environmental & Sustainability Studies (Bachelor of Science in Environmental & Sustainability Studies)
- Environmental Science (Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science)
- Fisheries & Wildlife (Bachelor of Science in Fisheries & Wildlife)
- Food Science & Technology (Bachelor of Science in Food Science & Technology)
- Forensic Science (Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science)
- Grassland Systems (Bachelor of Science in Grassland Systems)
- Integrated Science (Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science)
- Microbiology (Bachelor of Science in Microbiology)
- PGA Golf Management (Bachelor of Science in PGA Golf Management)Extra requirement: A 12 handicap is required to enter the program.
- Plant & Landscape Systems (Bachelor of Science in Plant and Landscape Systems)
- Plant Biology (Bachelor of Science in Plant Biology)
- Regional and Community Forestry (Bachelor of Science in Regional and Community Forestry)
- Veterinary Science (Bachelor of Science in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Architecture3
Admission to this college asks for more math, and an ACT, SAT or GPA threshold, than UNL admission; students who do not meet it start in the Explore Center.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Admission Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Architectural Studies (Bachelor of Science in Design)
- Interior Design (Bachelor of Science in Design)
- Landscape Architecture (Bachelor of Landscape Architecture)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Architecture (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Arts and Sciences27
- Actuarial Science (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Anthropology (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Biochemistry (Bachelor of Science)
- Biological Sciences (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Chemistry (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Classics & Religious Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Communication Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Data Science (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Economics (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- English (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Environmental & Sustainability Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Film Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Geography (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Global Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- History (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Individualized Program of Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Mathematics (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Microbiology (Bachelor of Science)
- Modern Languages
- Multidisciplinary Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Philosophy (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Physics (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Political Science (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Psychology (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Sociology (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Spanish (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
- Women's & Gender Studies (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Arts and Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Business12
- Accounting (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Actuarial Science (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Agribusiness (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Business & Law (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Business Administration (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Business Analytics (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Economics (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Finance (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- International Business (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Management (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Marketing (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
- Supply Chain Management (Bachelor of Science in Business Administration)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Business (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Education and Human Sciences30
- Communication Sciences & Disorders (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- CYAF: Early Childhood Education in a Mobile Society (Bachelor of Science)
- CYAF: Family & Consumer Sciences Occupational (Grades 6-12) (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- CYAF: Human Development and Family Science (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- CYAF: Inclusive Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3) (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Elementary Education & Special Education (K-6) (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Elementary Education (K-6) (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Elementary Education (K-6) & Early Childhood Education (Age 3-Grade 3) (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management (Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management)
- Nutrition & Health Sciences: Community Health and Wellness Option (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Nutrition & Health Sciences: Nutrition & Biomedical Sciences Option (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Nutrition & Health Sciences: Nutrition, Exercise & Health Science Option (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Arabic (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Biology (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Business, Marketing & Information Technology (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Chemistry (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Chinese (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: English Language Arts (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: French (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: German (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Japanese (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Latin (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Mathematics (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Physics (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Science (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Secondary English (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Social Studies (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Secondary Education: Spanish (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Special Education (7-12) (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
- Special Education (K-6) (Bachelor of Science in Education & Human Sciences)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Education and Human Sciences (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Engineering15
Admission to this college asks for more math, and an ACT, SAT or GPA threshold, than UNL admission; students who do not meet it start in the Explore Center.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Admission Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Agricultural Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering)
- Architectural Engineering (Omaha) (Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering)
- Biological Systems Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Biological Systems Engineering)
- Chemical Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering)
- Civil Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering)
- Computer Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering)
- Computer Science (Bachelor of Science in Computer Science)
- Construction Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering)
- Construction Management (Bachelor of Science in Construction Management)
- Data Science (Bachelor of Science)
- Electrical Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering)
- Environmental Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering)
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering)
- Robotics Engineering (Bachelor of Science in Robotics Engineering)
- Software Engineering (Bachelor of Science)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Engineering (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Journalism and Mass Communications4
- Advertising & Public Relations (Bachelor of Journalism)
- Broadcasting (Bachelor of Journalism)
- Journalism (Bachelor of Journalism)
- Sports Media & Communication (Bachelor of Journalism)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Journalism and Mass Communications (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Public Affairs and Community Service1
- Criminology & Criminal Justice (Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, College of Public Affairs and Community Service (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts12
- Acting (Bachelor of Fine Arts)Extra requirement: Auditions are required.
- Art (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Art History and Criticism (Bachelor of Arts)
- Dance (Bachelor of Arts)Extra requirement: Auditions are required.
- Emerging Media Arts (Bachelor of Fine Arts)Extra requirement: An application and a portfolio are required.
- Entertainment Design and Production (Bachelor of Fine Arts)Extra requirement: An application and a portfolio are required.
- Graphic Arts (Bachelor of Arts)
- Graphic Design (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (Bachelor of Arts)
- Music (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Music)Extra requirement: Auditions are required.
- Music Education (Bachelor of Music Education)
- Theatre (Bachelor of Arts)
Source: UNL 2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Admission Requirements (opens in a new tab), for the extra requirements. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Priority deadline | November 1 | not published | No |
| Final deadline | May 1 | not published | No |
The application opens August 1, 2026. If you apply by November 1, scholarship offers come February 11, 2027. To be considered for academic scholarships, in-state students must send all application materials by February 1 and out-of-state students by May 1. The enrollment deposit is also due May 1. Classes begin August 23, 2027. UNL does not publish decision dates.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Dates and Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
UNL does not require the ACT or SAT for admission. It encourages every first-year applicant to send an official score for full scholarship consideration, and awards the better of a scholarship based on your GPA alone or on your GPA with your highest composite score. An ACT of 20 or an SAT of 1040 is one of four ways to meet the performance requirement for guaranteed admission; the others are a 3.0 GPA or a rank in the top half of your class.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Admission Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by July 15.
Source: UNL Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked Nebraska's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: UNL Admissions, First-Year Admission Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at Nebraska, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,090 | $29,160 |
| Required fees | $2,382 | $2,382 |
| Housing (on campus) | $7,960 | $7,960 |
| Food (on-campus meal plan) | $5,990 | $5,990 |
| Books and supplies | $1,128 | $1,128 |
| Other expenses | $2,388 | $2,388 |
| Total | $28,938 | $49,008 |
For a full-time undergraduate living on campus, fall and spring. UNL's Common Data Set gives no transportation figure, so none is included. Tuition and fees vary by program: UNL says 43 percent of full-time undergraduates pay more than these figures.
Source: UNL Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections G1, G4 and G5. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $12,751 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $13,054 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $14,699 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $18,975 |
| Over $110,000 | $22,346 |
| All incomes | $17,747 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from UNL's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to University of Nebraska-Lincoln on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Public87.9% admitted$18,589 average net price
Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS · Public87.5% admitted$19,406 average net price
University of KansasLawrence, KS · Public92.6% admitted$18,059 average net price
University of IowaIowa City, IA · Public79.9% admitted$22,531 average net price
University of MissouriColumbia, MO · Public78.5% admitted$20,268 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.