University of Nebraska-Lincoln Admissions: Everything You Want to and Need to Know
Overview of University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a public research institution with an acceptance rate of 80%. Situated in Lincoln, Nebraska, UNL is the flagship campus of Nebraska’s university system. The institution has a large selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select from. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. In athletics, the UNL Cornhuskers play in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference.
Enrollment
- Total Enrollment: 25,820 (20,830 undergraduates)
- Gender Breakdown: 53 percent male/47 percent female
- 93 percent full-time
Cost of Attendance Information
- Tuition and Fees: $9,522 (in-state); $25,828 (out-of-state)
- Books: $1,044
- Room and Board: $11,830
- Other Expenses: $3,320
- Total Cost: $25,716 (in-state); $42,022 (out-of-state)
Financial Aid Information
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 88 percent
- Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
- Grants: 75 percent
- Loans: 46 percent
- Average Amount of Aid
- Grants: $9,436
- Loans: $5,904
Academic Programs Offered
- Most Popular Majors: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; and Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
Retention and Graduation
- First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 83 percent
- Transfer-Out Rate: 9 percent
- 4-Year Graduation Rate: 41 percent
- 6-Year Graduation Rate: 69 percent
NCAA Athletic Programs
- Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Tennis, Track and Field, Wrestling
- Women’s Sports: Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Gymnastics, Rifle, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Beach Volleyball
Overview of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Admissions
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which accepts more than three-quarters of applicants, has a moderately selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application, and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the next steps of the application process. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.
Admissions Data
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln had an acceptance rate of 80%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 80 students gained admission, making UNL’s admissions procedure moderately competitive.
SAT Requirements and Scores
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 11% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 50% of admitted students scored between 570 and 680 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 570 and 25% scored over 680. 50% of students scored between 560 and 680 on the math part, while 25% scored under 560, and 25% scored over 680. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1360 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UNL.
ACT Requirements and Scores
Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 91% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s students fall within the top 36% nationally on the ACT. The mean 50% of admitted students to UNL received a cumulative ACT score between 22 and 29, while 25% scored over 29, and 25% scored under 22.
GPA
In 2019, the mean high school GPA of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s incoming freshmen class was 3.59, and 65% of incoming students had mean GPAs of 3.50 and over. Successful applicants to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have primarily high B grades.
Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission
If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then it should be easy for you to gain admissions to the schools below. If the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.
University of Alabama, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas, California State University Long Beach, Pace University, Washington State University
Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission
If you’re a competitive candidate for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.
Hofstra University, Texas Christian University, Temple University, Auburn University, University of Arizona, Seton Hall University, University of Houston
Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge
These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.
University of Texas at Dallas, Stony Brook University, University of Connecticut, Rochester Institute of Technology, American University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University
Applying to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: May 1
Undergraduate Admissions Website:
Undergraduate Application Link(s):
https://admissions.unl.edu/apply/
Graduate Admissions Website:
https://online.nebraska.edu/content/admissions-unl-grad
Graduate Application Link(s):
https://wam.unl.edu/stuapp/WebAppController?appId=webapp&featureId=grad