University of Nebraska – Lincoln

unl online degree

Diverse, Groundbreaking Big Ten Education at UNL

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable MBA Degrees Online.

Ranked 13th nationally by The Financial Times, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a flagship public, land-grant URA member in the Capitol District that grants 175 bachelor’s, 74 master’s, 72 doctoral, and 42 certificate programs, including 38 fully online, at a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. For example, the Chemical Engineering B.S. mixes a 120-credit, ABET-accredited plan overseen by Dr. Lance Perez where Cornhuskers can pledge Tau Beta Pi, celebrate E2 Day, attend the Engineering Readiness Academy, and conduct Energy Science Research Center projects. Chaired by Dr. Liz Enkin at Oldfather Hall, the 120-credit French B.A. helps undergrads study abroad in Montpellier or Angers, engage in Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center events, utilize the Language Lab, and join the Peace Corps.

Online on Canvas, the Integrated Media Communications M.A. crafts a 36-credit, ACEJMC-accredited curriculum headed by Dr. Mary Kay Quinlan with Professional Journalism, Public Relations, or Advertising tracks where post-grads can publish The Daily Nebraskan and become Hitchcock Fellows. Directed by Dr. Debra Mullen, the Higher Education Administration Ph.D. follows a 90-credit, five-year path with hybrid seminars like Workforce Development, School Improvement Initiative research, and Women in Educational Leadership Conference participation.

Other Lincoln degrees include the Early Childhood B.S., Theatre B.F.A., Grassland Ecology B.S., Nutrition M.S., Mechanized Systems Management M.S., Economics M.A., MBA online, Statistics Ph.D., Veterinary Medicine D.V.M., and Music D.M.A.

About the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln was chartered on February 15, 1869, to create the 37th state’s first higher learning institution based on Jeffersonian ideals with Morrill Act funds. In 1873, the University of Nebraska had its first two bachelor’s degree graduates. In 1886, its four-block campus was expanded beyond University Hall with a second building. In 1902, the University of Nebraska merged with the struggling Medical College of Omaha. In 1903, UNL launched the earliest graduate program west of the Mississippi River. The next year, the North Platte Experimental Station was erected for research. In 1906, philanthropist John D. Rockefeller funded the Temple Building’s construction on R Street. In 1947, the Love Memorial Library started archiving its 2.5 million volumes. In 1968, the Legislature designated it the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to separate from Omaha and Kearney.

Endowed for $1.47 billion, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln now employs 1,948 faculty teaching 20,830 undergrad and 4,990 post-grad Cornhuskers from 114 nations online or face-to-face on three campuses of 2,815 acres with 400+ clubs like the Literary League. In 2018, Lincoln received the a Gold CASE District VI Circle of Excellence Award. In 2019, UNL earned the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Education Award. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln won a 2018 AASHE Bronze Sustainability Award too. The U.S. News & World Report named Lincoln the 39th top teaching, 26th best audiology, and ninth best ceramics school. On Niche, UNL boasts America’s 27th best agriculture, 63rd best finance, and 87th top communications degrees. Princeton Review picked the University of Nebraska-Lincoln 19th for intramural athletes. Kiplinger’s declared UNL the 83rd best public value.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Accreditation Details

On January 30, 2017, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) issued a new Institutional Status Report that extended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Level VI accreditation through 2026-27 under President Hank Bounds, PhD, who accepted the David Berlin Advocacy Award. Located 522 miles east via Interstate 88 in Chicago, this huge 19-state Heartland Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education (CCPE). The Academic Program Management Office also lists theses accreditations:

  • National Architectural Accrediting Board
  • Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board
  • Council for Interior Design Accreditation
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics
  • National Association for Education of Young Children
  • American Psychological Association
  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • American Bar Association Section of Legal Education
  • National Association of Schools of Theatre

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Application Requirements

Entering the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s since 11,906 of the 14,956 Fall 2018 applicants were victorious for 80 percent acceptance. First-year Cornhuskers must culminate a high school diploma with 16 academic units or the GED equivalent. Ranking in the top half with a minimum 20 ACT or 1030 SAT score is required. The Class of 2022 reported an average 3.65 GPA. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 480-630 for reading and 510-650 for math. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 22-28. Transfers generally need 12+ non-remedial credits with GPAs above 2.0 on the four-point scale. International students should exceed the 79 TOEFL iBT or 6.5 IELTS mark. The Office of Graduate Studies seeks regionally accredited, four-year U.S. bachelor’s or similar degrees with 3.0 or better GPAs. The College of Engineering only admits Ph.D. candidates with at least 3.3 GPAs. Average GRE scores are 155 verbal and 158 quantitative. The College of Business Administration prefers GMAT scores over 600. Successful Law School entrants achieve a median 158 LSAT score.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has undergrad deadlines of May 1st for Fall or December 1st for Spring. The Office of Graduate Studies suggests applying by March 1st or September 1st, but some programs have unique deadlines. For instance, the Interior Design M.S. closes on February 1st. Veterinary Science M.S. cohorts must file before January 15th. The Geography Ph.D. considers candidates until January 8th. Check degree-specific dates to complete the UNL or Common Application online for $45 ($50 if graduate). Send sealed transcripts to 1410 Q Street in Lincoln, NE 68508. Directly submit test results with ACT code 2482, SAT/GRE code 6877, or GMAT code S40-HW-48. Fulfill checklist items, such as the writing sample, passport, resume/CV, nursing license, two recommendations, and audition tape. Contact (402) 472-2023 or [email protected] with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is charging traditional in-state undergrads $9,522 annually. Non-resident bachelor’s tuition and fees are $25,828 each year. Loan fees cost $64 yearly. Room and board for the Lancaster County campus’ dorms like Selleck Hall adds $11,830. UNL budgets $1,044 for books and $3,320 for personal expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $25,780 in-state and $42,086 out-of-state. Online bachelor’s courses are $252 to $800 per credit with a $35 distance fee. The Office of Graduate Studies bills full-time Nebraskans $7,696 and non-residents $18,882 by year. Juris Doctor students pay more at $16,534 and $38,050 respectively. Online master’s and doctoral programs cost $357 to $652 per credit. The Space Law LL.M. is one exception costing up to $1,650 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Louise Pound Hall Suite 130 links 66 percent of full-time UNL Cornhuskers to tuition assistance averaging $9,436 each for $130.81 million combined. University funds include the Professor Dale Gibbs Scholarship, Theodore Sorensen Scholarship, Robert McCall Scholarship, Farm Credit Services Scholarship, Peter Kiewit Institute Scholarship, Evelyn Peterson Memorial Scholarship, Ruth Ann Sack Memorial Scholarship, Jean Faulkner Scholarship, and Kinman Oldfield Scholarship. The Chancellor’s Scholarship covers full tuition for National Merit Scholars who maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA. The $15,000 George Beadle Scholarship has a May 1st deadline for Phi Theta Kappa members transferring 52+ college-level credits. Federal programs, such as the Opportunity Grant or Direct Unsubsidized Loan, require FAFSA forms coded 002554. Nebraskans could also claim the Access College Early Scholarship, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Gus Swanson Memorial Scholarship, Kenneth Schwartz Scholarship, and more.

Explore 13 top-tier colleges housing 300+ innovative, in-demand degrees placed 239th overall by Forbes at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln website.