Last Updated: Monday August 03, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNOMAHA) — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Public Accredited · Higher Learning Commission Omaha, Nebraska 86.9% Acceptance Rate

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNOMAHA) Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Omaha, Nebraska 68182-0225 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 https://www.unomaha.edu/

University of Nebraska at Omaha — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

86.9%Acceptance Rate
3.44Avg GPA
1120Avg SAT
22Avg ACT
$20,446Annual Cost
$53,909Grad Salary
33.1%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
86.9%
Avg GPA
3.44
Avg SAT
1120
Avg ACT
22
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1080–1150
ACT Middle 50%
18–26
Avg Net Price
$12,791
Need-Based Aid
33.1% receive Pell

University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public research university that leverages its urban location to provide students with exceptional internship and community-engagement opportunities. Admissions prioritize academic consistency and evidence of self-directed motivation. The university seeks students who are ready to connect with the professional world and participate in high-impact projects that bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application.

University of Nebraska at Omaha Acceptance Rate

University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNOMAHA) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 86.9% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.

What to Expect

  • Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
  • Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive
University of Nebraska at Omaha Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 86.9% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.44 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.24 – 3.43
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.99
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

University of Nebraska at Omaha Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026

University of Nebraska at Omaha follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.

Key Admission Dates

🔄
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime

UNOMAHA reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.

$45Application Fee
Priority scholarship: 2027/02/01Scholarship Deadline
RollingAdmission Type

💡 The scholarship deadline (Priority scholarship: 2027/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.

Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.

UNOMAHA GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at UNOMAHA is 3.44. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.

In the 3.14–3.44 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.

Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.64–3.84.

UNOMAHA GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.

Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.

Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.44 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.24 – 3.43
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.04 – 3.23
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.03
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • Regents and Distinguished Scholarships require completing the University Honors Program Application alongside admission by Feb. 1 and test scores submitted through the February senior-year date - Honors admission and UNO's top merit scholarships are bundled into one process
  • Goodrich Scholarship Program (est. 1972 by Nebraska legislature) covers tuition/fees for up to 135 credit hours for need-and-merit-qualifying Nebraska residents, but applicants exceeding 31 college credits by May of the application year become ineligible; application reopens annually Oct. 1
  • Goodrich cannot be combined/stacked with Regents, Chancellor's, Dean's, or Buffett Foundation scholarships - these are mutually exclusive at the institutional level
  • Goodrich requires completing a free assessment (EPPE) by a set deadline and includes a dedicated two-year writing-intensive humanities/social science core curriculum alongside academic and non-academic support services
  • Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
  • Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
  • Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

    Check Your Admission Chances at UNOMAHA

    Admission Chance Predictor

    Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Nebraska at Omaha's verified institutional data

    --%
    Calculating Profile...

    Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

    Your SAT Score 1200
    Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

    ✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.

    Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

    University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNOMAHA) Test Requirements

    Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UNOMAHA is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.

    Can I Get Into UNOMAHA Without SAT or ACT?

    UNOMAHA requires SAT or ACT scores. Applications without them won't be reviewed. Plan test dates early, and if your first score lands below the average shown below, sit for it again.

    University of Nebraska at Omaha Average SAT Score: 1120

    The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Nebraska at Omaha is 1120 on the 1600-point scale.

    SAT Competitiveness

    University of Nebraska at Omaha SAT Competitiveness
    SAT 1120 — Less Competitive

    This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.

    Composite
    1120
    Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1150 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Nebraska at Omaha allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.

    If your score is below 1080, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UNOMAHA. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.

    SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

    SAT score percentiles for University of Nebraska at Omaha
    SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
    SAT Math---
    SAT Reading---
    SAT Composite112010801150

    Below 1080, you're behind most admitted students; at 1150 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)

    View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100

    Can I get into University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNOMAHA) with a 1150 SAT?

    A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of UNOMAHA's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.

    University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNOMAHA) ACT Requirements

    The average ACT score at UNOMAHA is 22.

    ACT Competitiveness

    University of Nebraska at Omaha ACT Competitiveness
    ACT 22 — Slightly Competitive

    This sits close to the national average ACT score.

    ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

    ACT score percentiles for University of Nebraska at Omaha
    SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
    ACT Math211725
    ACT English221726
    ACT Composite221826

    Can I get into University of Nebraska at Omaha with a 26 ACT?

    A 26 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UNOMAHA's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.

    Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.

    Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UNOMAHA.

    View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 22

    Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UNOMAHA

    Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

    UNOMAHA takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.

    For Nebraska residents with strong stats, decide on the University Honors Program early - it's the gateway to UNO's top-dollar scholarships, not a separate track

    UNO's Regents Scholarship (covering Nebraska's most academically talented students) explicitly requires completing the University Honors Program Application in addition to being admitted by Feb. 1 and submitting test scores through the February senior-year test date - meaning Honors admission and the university's top merit scholarship are bundled into one application process. A strong Nebraska resident should treat the Honors application as financially consequential, not just an academic enrichment decision, since skipping it forecloses Regents/Distinguished Scholarship eligibility entirely.

    If from a lower-income Nebraska family, evaluate the Goodrich Scholarship Program as a structurally different track - but apply before earning 31 college credits

    The Goodrich Scholarship Program (established by the Nebraska legislature in 1972) is a merit-and-need-based award covering tuition and fees for up to 135 credit hours, paired with a dedicated two-year writing-intensive humanities/social science core curriculum and comprehensive support services - but applicants who will have earned more than 31 college credits by May of the application year become ineligible. A first-generation or financially-constrained Nebraska student should apply for Goodrich before accumulating significant dual-enrollment or AP credit that could push them past this specific credit ceiling, and should note the application reopens annually on October 1.

    Don't stack Goodrich with other major tuition scholarships - confirm exclusivity rules before counting on multiple awards

    UNO explicitly states that students receiving tuition scholarships like Regents, Chancellor's, Dean's, or Buffett Foundation awards cannot combine or stack them with a Goodrich scholarship - these are mutually exclusive at the institutional level, unlike many scholarships that layer freely. A student eligible for multiple named UNO scholarships should contact the Office of Financial Support and Scholarships directly to determine which single award nets the most value, rather than assuming all eligible awards will be combined.

    Use the Goodrich Organization (GO!) and its required assessment as part of evaluating fit, not just funding

    Beyond the financial award, Goodrich requires applicants to complete a free required assessment (the EPPE) by a set February deadline and builds in mandatory non-academic support services and a specific writing-intensive core curriculum - meaning Goodrich isn't simply a tuition check but a structured academic community a student commits to for up to 135 credit hours. A student evaluating Goodrich should understand they're opting into this specific curricular community, not just receiving a generic need-based award.

    Expert Insight:

    Acceptance-rate and test-requirement figures for UNO conflict noticeably across sources - some describe test scores as required, others as recommended but optional - so families should verify the current first-year testing policy directly with UNO admissions rather than relying on any single third-party aggregator, especially since this affects which scholarship pathways (Regents/Distinguished specifically require a February test-date submission) remain available.

    UNOMAHA Profile

    Full Name
    University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNOMAHA)
    City
    Omaha
    State
    Nebraska
    ZIP Code
    68182-0225
    Type
    Public
    Campus
    Main Campus
    Official Website
    Accredited By
    Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

    Is a UNOMAHA Degree Worth It?

    Whether UNOMAHA is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.

    The average household income among admitted students is $66,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.32%.

    How much does a degree from UNOMAHA Cost?

    The sticker price is $20,446/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $12,791.

    33.1% of students receive a Pell Grant and 28.2% take federal loans at UNOMAHA. File your FAFSA early and list UNOMAHA as a choice to be considered for both.

    How much does a UNOMAHA Graduate earn?

    Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $53,909. That's about 33% above the U.S. median graduate income.

    $20,446Annual Cost
    $12,791Net Price
    33.1%Pell Grant
    28.2%Federal Loan
    $53,909Grad Salary (10yr)

    Compare Similar Colleges

    Less Competitive

    Less Competitive Schools

    These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Nebraska at Omaha. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

    SchoolLocationSATACT
    Auburn University at Montgomery Montgomery, AL 1090 21
    Spring Hill College Mobile, AL 1090 22
    Troy University Troy, AL 1086 22
    Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZ 1095 22
    University of the Ozarks Clarksville, AR 1088 21
    Pacific Union College Angwin, CA 1093 22
    Fort Lewis College Durango, CO 1084 20
    Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO 1070 23
    University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO 1077 22
    Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT 1091 24
    Same Competitive

    Equally Competitive Schools

    These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Nebraska at Omaha. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

    SchoolLocationSATACT
    University of South Alabama Mobile, AL 1119 23
    Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL 1121 22
    Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR 1119 22
    University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR 1117 22
    University of La Verne La Verne, CA 1116 22
    More Competitive

    More Competitive Schools

    These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Nebraska at Omaha. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

    SchoolLocationSATACT
    Birmingham-Southern College Birmingham, AL 1197 24
    University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 1174 25
    Harding University Searcy, AR 1187 25
    Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA 1155 22
    Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA 1194 26

    Degree Programs at UNOMAHA

    Bachelor Degree Programs

    Frequently Asked Questions About UNOMAHA Admissions

    Median graduate earnings at University of Nebraska at Omaha run about $53,909 a year.

    At about $20,446 a year, University of Nebraska at Omaha is on the more affordable end.

    About 33.1% receive a Pell Grant at University of Nebraska at Omaha. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.

    At 86.9%, University of Nebraska at Omaha's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.

    Admitted students at University of Nebraska at Omaha average a 3.44 GPA.

    University of Nebraska at Omaha doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.14 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.

    Below 3.04, University of Nebraska at Omaha becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.

    A strong SAT score matters at University of Nebraska at Omaha — aim above 1120, ideally within the 1080–1150 range admitted students typically fall in.

    University of Nebraska at Omaha follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.

    The application fee is 45. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.

    The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is Priority scholarship: 2027/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.

    Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.

    Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.

    SK

    Sohaib Ahmad Khan

    Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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