Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Lincoln, Nebraska
77.1% Acceptance Rate
University of Nebraska-Lincoln — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
77.1%Acceptance Rate
3.63Avg GPA
1191Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$25,341Annual Cost
$56,887Grad Salary
22.2%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
77.1%
Avg GPA
3.63
Avg SAT
1191
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1090–1330
ACT Middle 50%
22–28
Avg Net Price
$17,424
Need-Based Aid
22.2% receive Pell
University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a prestigious public flagship research university known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and service. Offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, the university fosters a vibrant campus community that encourages research, professional development, and leadership. Its state-of-the-art facilities and reputation for excellence make it a top-tier choice for students seeking a transformative and world-class educational experience.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Acceptance Rate
University of Nebraska-Lincoln runs an open-access admission policy. With a 77.1% 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
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 77.1% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.63 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.43 – 3.62
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.18
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for University of Nebraska-Lincoln is May 1 for Regular applicants, with additional plans listed below.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 263 days left — Regular
Regular
May 1
Priority
November 1
Decision by: February 11
💡 The scholarship deadline (In-state: 2027/02/01; Out-of-state: 2027/05/01 (University of Nebraska?Lincoln)) 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.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is 3.63. That makes admissions here highly selective. Most admitted students carry mostly A's with the occasional B.
Between 3.33 and 3.63? A strong standardized test score is worth prioritizing.
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 3.83–4.03.University of Nebraska-Lincoln 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
3.63 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.43 – 3.62
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.23 – 3.42
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.22
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- No personal essay/statement required for general admission; only an optional supplemental question exists.
- SAT/ACT required only for the College of Architecture and College of Engineering; optional elsewhere.
- Stated minimum GPA is 3.0, but the admitted middle-50% GPA range runs 3.5?4.0.
- Reported acceptance rate ~76?87% depending on source and year.
- 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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Nebraska-Lincoln's verified institutional data
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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-Lincoln Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if University of Nebraska-Lincoln is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into University of Nebraska-Lincoln Without SAT or ACT?
University of Nebraska-Lincoln considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Average SAT Score: 1191
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is 1191 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1191 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1330 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Nebraska-Lincoln allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1090, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 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
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 605 | 540 | 670 |
| SAT Reading | 605 | 550 | 660 |
| SAT Composite | 1191 | 1090 | 1330 |
Below 1090, you're behind most admitted students; at 1330 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 1200
Can I get into University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a 1350 SAT?
A 1350 SAT puts you ahead of most of University of Nebraska-Lincoln'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-Lincoln ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at University of Nebraska-Lincoln is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT English | 25 | 21 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 22 | 28 |
Can I get into University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of University of Nebraska-Lincoln'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 University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
University of Nebraska-Lincoln is accessible to students who show core competency. Focus on proving readiness for college-level work and locking in financial aid.
Skip the essay unless you have something specific to add
UNL doesn't require a personal statement - there's only an optional supplemental question for additional context. Use it only if you have something genuinely useful to explain (a grade dip, unusual circumstance), not to pad the application.
Submit test scores only if pursuing Architecture or Engineering
These are the only colleges at UNL requiring SAT/ACT scores - for every other major, testing is optional and won't be weighed if you skip it, so don't submit a weak score out of habit.
Aim above the 3.0 minimum GPA if you want real competitiveness, not just eligibility
The stated minimum is 3.0, but admitted-student GPAs cluster between 3.5?4.0 - treat 3.0 as a floor for consideration, not a target for a strong application.
Check program-specific essay or recommendation requirements before assuming none apply
Some individual programs require essays or letters beyond the general application - verify your specific major's requirements directly rather than assuming the general no-essay policy covers everything.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat the "no essay required" policy as meaning admissions is purely a numbers game - but for competitive programs (Architecture, Engineering, health sciences graduate tracks) program-specific requirements can still include essays, portfolios, or additional testing.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Profile
Full Name
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
City
Lincoln
State
Nebraska
ZIP Code
68588-0419
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Degree Worth It?
Whether University of Nebraska-Lincoln 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 $61,000, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.26%.
How much does a degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Cost?
The sticker price is $25,341/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $17,424.
22.2% of students receive a Pell Grant and 33.7% take federal loans at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. File your FAFSA early and list University of Nebraska-Lincoln as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $56,887. That's about 40% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Nebraska-Lincoln. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
| Chaminade University of Honolulu | Honolulu, HI | 1155 | NA |
| University of Hawaii at Manoa | Honolulu, HI | 1157 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Nebraska-Lincoln. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| Eastern Connecticut State University | Willimantic, CT | 1200 | NA |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Nebraska-Lincoln. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
| Biola University | La Mirada, CA | 1258 | 27 |
Degree Programs at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About University of Nebraska-Lincoln Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Nebraska-Lincoln run about $56,887 a year.
At about $25,341 a year, University of Nebraska-Lincoln is on the more affordable end.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Pell Grant rate of 22.2% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 77.1%, University of Nebraska-Lincoln's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Nebraska-Lincoln average a 3.63 GPA.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.33 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 3.23, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 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-Lincoln — aim above 1191, ideally within the 1090–1330 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Nebraska-Lincoln is May 1 for Regular applicants.
The application fee is 45. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is In-state: 2027/02/01; Out-of-state: 2027/05/01 (University of Nebraska?Lincoln). 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.
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