Nebraska Admission Requirements

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Lincoln, NE
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Nebraska Admission Overview

Nebraska admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Nebraska admitted 87.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.63 GPA (A-) and SAT 1098-1330 / ACT 22-28. Nebraska is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Nebraska is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Nebraska Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

87.5%

Admission Standards

Challenging

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Nebraska acceptance rate is 87.5%. Last year, 15,609 of 17,841 applicants were admitted. That is the 13th lowest acceptance rate in Nebraska.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Nebraska and can you get accepted?

Nebraska is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of Nebraska Lincoln typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.63. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Nebraska GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.63

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.63

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Nebraska typically have around a 3.63 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. Nebraska is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #3 in Nebraska for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of Nebraska Lincoln freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	17.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	35.0%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	20.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	12.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	9.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	6.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	1.0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Nebraska SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1098-1330

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 560
Math 538
Composite 1098

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 670
Math 660
Composite 1330

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Nebraska typically score around a 1210 SAT (middle 50% 1098–1330) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 77th percentile nationally. Nebraska ranks #2 in the state of Nebraska for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1098 to 1330

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Nebraska is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1210 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Nebraska Lincoln
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1330+	Above 75th	>93%
1210 to 1330	Avg +	87%-93%
1098 to 1210	Avg -	78%-87%
Below 1098	Below mid-50	<78%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Nebraska ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

22-28

Freshmen reporting ACT

82%

25th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 20
Composite 22

75th Percentile Scores

English 28
Math 27
Composite 28

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Nebraska typically have around a 25 ACT (mid-50 22–28) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 78th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Nebraska places #2 among colleges in Nebraska for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 22 to 28

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to Nebraska without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 25.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Nebraska Lincoln
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
28+	Above 75th	>93%
25 to 28	Avg +	87%-93%
22 to 25	Avg -	78%-87%
Below 22	Below mid-50	<78%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

59% of University of Nebraska Lincoln freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 31% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Nebraska Lincoln students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	31%
Top 25% of class	59%
Top 50% of class	88%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Nebraska chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Nebraska Lincoln admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	9,869	7,954	17,841
Accepted	8,745	6,849	15,609
Acceptance Rate	89%	86%	87%
Enrolled	2,322	2,319	4,650
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	27%	34%	30%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Nebraska Lincoln and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Nebraska Lincoln application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

243

Applicants have 243 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on May 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Nebraska Lincoln is $45.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Nebraska Lincoln
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Nebraska is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 87.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.63 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1098-1330); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025