University of Nebraska at Omaha

About University of Nebraska at Omaha

UNO began in 1908, originally established through the Presbyterian Theological Seminary of Omaha. It later became Omaha’s municipal university and joined the University of Nebraska System in 1968. The system now describes UNO as Nebraska’s metropolitan campus and identifies itself as the state’s public university system. UNO remains an operating institution with its own institution-wide accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, covering its programs and locations. The metropolitan mission is central to understanding the university. Academic work is connected to Omaha through community projects, internships, service learning, research, and partnerships with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, schools, and businesses. This makes UNO particularly relevant for students who want a public university education embedded in a sizable urban economy rather than an isolated college-town experience. UNO offers undergraduate and graduate education through six principal academic colleges spanning arts and sciences; business administration; communication, fine arts and media; education, health and human sciences; information science and technology; and public affairs and community service. The 2026–27 catalog confirms an extensive portfolio of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards. Online programs, certificates, and other credentials add flexibility, although students should verify the delivery format and campus expectations of their individual program. Prospective students should assess UNO at the program level. Admission standards, specialized tuition, accreditation, experiential components, and graduate application requirements can differ by college or degree. The university’s broad portfolio and Omaha partnerships create substantial choice, but careful comparison is important because not every opportunity or cost applies uniformly across programs.

For 2026–27 assured first-year admission, applicants educated through a regionally accredited U.S. high school or an equivalent GED pathway are expected to complete 16 units of specified high-school coursework. These include English, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, world language, and an additional academic elective. Applicants must also meet at least one performance measure: graduate in the top half of their class, earn an ACT composite of at least 20 or the SAT equivalent, or have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 by the end of the sixth high-school semester or later. Failure to meet assured-admission criteria does not necessarily end consideration. UNO describes an individual admission-by-review process that can examine academic preparation and potential for success. Individual colleges and programs may impose additional requirements. Transfer applicants must disclose all prior colleges and universities and be in good academic standing at the last institution attended. College-specific minimum GPAs in the 2026–27 catalog range from 2.0 to 2.5, with requirements varying by college or major. Applicants with fewer than 24 transferable credits must also provide final high-school or GED documentation. For undergraduate entry, complete files are due August 17, 2026 for fall 2026, January 4, 2027 for spring 2027, and June 21, 2027 for summer 2027. Scholarship consideration may favor earlier submission. Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency through one of UNO’s approved academic or testing routes. Graduate applicants must use the requirements and deadlines of their intended program rather than these undergraduate rules.

UNO’s 2026–27 catalog documents bachelor’s programs across disciplines including the arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, business, communication, education, health-related fields, computing, cybersecurity, public administration, criminology, and social work. Graduate offerings include master’s and doctoral programs, alongside specialist, certificate, and other credentials. The verified degree-level classification is therefore bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD, but applicants should not assume that every subject is available at all three levels. Academic activity is organized primarily through six colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business Administration; Communication, Fine Arts and Media; Education, Health, and Human Sciences; Information Science and Technology; and Public Affairs and Community Service. This structure supports both disciplinary study and professionally oriented pathways. The catalog should be the starting point for checking required courses, concentrations, progression rules, and whether a program is offered in person, online, or through a mixed format. Applied learning is prominent in UNO’s academic presentation. Students may encounter internships, service-learning projects, community placements, study abroad, and faculty-guided research. Availability and eligibility depend on the program, so candidates should confirm whether an experience is required, optional, competitive, or associated with additional costs. Institutional accreditation covers UNO as a whole, while certain professional programs also hold specialized accreditation. That distinction matters for fields tied to professional licensing or certification. Prospective students should consult the university’s program-accreditation directory and the relevant licensing authority before enrolling, especially if they plan to practice outside Nebraska. Graduate applicants should also review departmental material because program prerequisites, deadlines, funding, and faculty supervision arrangements are not standardized across the university.

Key Highlights

• Public metropolitan campus within the University of Nebraska System
• Founded in 1908 and joined the University of Nebraska System in 1968
• Institution-wide accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission
• Active 2026–27 undergraduate and graduate catalog

Student Life & Environment

UNO combines residential facilities with a campus culture that also accommodates commuters; the university explicitly states that students are not required to live on campus. Housing is available on the Dodge and Scott campuses, with configurations that include private bedrooms, shared living areas, kitchens or kitchenettes, and traditional or apartment-style arrangements. Meal-plan conditions vary: the 2026–27 cost page says meal plans are generally not required for campus residents except at Scott Hall. Students can explore more than 200 organizations covering academic, cultural, creative, service, and recreational interests. Other involvement routes include student government, leadership programs, Greek life, volunteering, campus events, and Maverick athletics. Recreation options described by UNO include fitness activities, climbing, intramural sports, and outdoor trips. Health and wellbeing support includes a health center, counseling services, campus recreation, accessibility services, and support groups. Students needing particular medical, accessibility, dietary, religious, or mental-health accommodations should verify service scope and appointment availability directly before committing. Campus traditions include Durango Days, homecoming, and athletic events. Residential programming adds social and community-building activities, while Omaha itself expands the range of restaurants, arts venues, museums, employers, and volunteer settings available beyond university property. Students should consider transportation and the separation between campus areas when choosing housing and planning daily schedules.

Location & Surroundings

UNO is located in Omaha, Nebraska, with its main address at 6001 Dodge Street. University facilities are distributed principally across the Dodge and Scott campuses rather than concentrated in a single compact precinct. Official maps identify campus buildings, parking, bicycle facilities, public-transport connections, and university shuttle information. Students should check where their classes and housing are located because commuting between facilities can affect daily planning. The urban setting is integral to UNO’s metropolitan mission. The university connects students with Omaha businesses, public bodies, schools, healthcare and human-service settings, cultural organizations, and nonprofits through internships, community projects, placements, and service learning. Nearby Aksarben Village provides dining, retail, and entertainment, while other destinations highlighted by UNO include the Old Market, Blackstone, museums, and Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. Omaha can function as both a social setting and an extension of the classroom. That access may suit students seeking professional experience during their studies. Prospective students should nevertheless budget for transportation and compare housing locations, parking requirements, transit routes, and the schedule of any campus shuttle relevant to their program.

Costs & Career Outcomes

UNO’s official 2026–27 estimates distinguish Nebraska residents, students eligible for the Omaha Urban Rate, and other out-of-state students. For undergraduates living on campus and taking at least 28 credits across fall and spring, estimated tuition and fees are $9,880 for Nebraska residents, $14,528 at the Omaha Urban Rate, and $26,400 for other nonresidents. Adding estimated housing and food, books, personal expenses, and transportation produces total cost-of-attendance estimates of $28,932, $33,580, and $45,452 respectively. These are planning estimates, not guaranteed bills. Housing choices, enrollment, program-based differential tuition, course fees, personal spending, transportation, and residency classification can change the amount. UNO does not require students to live on campus. Its published estimates also differ for students living off campus or with relatives. Graduate estimates use a different enrollment assumption and tuition schedule, so they should not be inferred from undergraduate figures. Students should review scholarships and financial aid separately and confirm eligibility deadlines. The university advises first-year applicants seeking scholarship consideration to apply during the first semester of their final high-school year. Federal aid eligibility and final aid packaging depend on the student’s circumstances and required documentation. Career Services supports career exploration, application preparation, employer connections, and employment resources. UNO also presents internships and community-based learning as important parts of its metropolitan model. Access is broad, but internship availability, compensation, academic credit, and placement requirements vary by field. No specific salary or employment outcome should be assumed without program-level evidence.