You are guaranteed admission if you meet the core course requirements and at least one performance requirement. If you don't meet these requirements, we strongly encourage you to apply anyway—your admission will be determined by a committee appointed by the executive director of admissions, and your complete academic profile will be considered.
First-year students can apply through the Common Application or Nebraska's application.
Performance Requirements
First-Year Applicants Should:
- Have a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average.
- Or, score 20 or higher on the ACT, writing portion not required.
- Or, score a total of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections.
- Or, rank in the top half of high school graduating class.
Note: You are not required to submit an ACT/SAT score to be considered for admission. While not required, we encourage all first-year applicants to submit an official ACT/SAT score for full scholarship consideration. We will offer you the best scholarship award possible based on either your GPA alone or the combination of your GPA and highest composite ACT/SAT score.
Core Course Requirements
There are 16 units of academic courses required for admission. A unit is one year of high school study or a semester/quarter of college coursework.
High School Classes
View the list of Nebraska high school classes that count toward core course requirements.
Ways to Meet Admission Requirements
If you are missing courses required for admission, there are ways to remove deficiencies before you enroll.
Core Courses
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| English |
4 units: All units must include intensive reading and writing experience. |
| Mathematics |
4 units:
|
| Natural Sciences |
3 units:
At least 2 units must be selected from biology, chemistry, physics and/or earth sciences. 1 of the units must include laboratory instruction. |
| Social Sciences |
3 units:
|
| World Language |
2 units:
Both units must be in the same language. Students who are unable to take 2 years of world language in high school may still qualify for admission. Note: Some University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree programs require the equivalent of 4 years of high school world language in the same language in order to graduate. View world language requirements by degree. |
College-Specific Course Requirements
All colleges at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln require students to meet the minimum core course and performance admission requirements (as listed above).
Some colleges have additional requirements that students must meet to be admitted to their requested college. If you do not meet the following college-specific requirements, you can still be admitted through the Explore Center.
You will be advised by the Explore Center until you meet the college-specific requirements for your desired college. Once you've met your college's requirements, you will have the opportunity to transfer into the college you requested.
Colleges and Programs With Additional Course Requirements
College of Architecture
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Math |
4 units:
|
| ACT/SAT and Academic Performance |
|
| Transfer & Readmit Students | In addition to the above requirements, must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0. |
College of Business
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Transfer & Readmit Students | Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5. |
College of Engineering
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| First-Year College Students | |
| Math |
4 units:
|
| Natural Sciences |
3 units:
|
| ACT/SAT and Academic Performance |
|
| Domestic Transfer Students | Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5. |
College of Public Affairs & Community Service
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Transfer & Readmit Students | Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5. |
Hixson-Lied College of Fine & Performing Arts
Audition and/or Portfolio Requirements
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Art, Art History: | No auditions or special applications. Optional portfolio review for additional scholarships. |
| Music, Dance: |
Auditions are required. |
| Acting |
Auditions are required. Johnny Carson School of Theatre & Film audition information. |
| Entertainment Design and Production |
Application and portfolio required. Johnny Carson School of Theatre & Film portfolio information. |
|
BFA in Emerging Media: Emerging Media Arts |
Application and portfolio required. |
PGA Golf Management
| Category | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PGA Golf Management Students | A 12 Handicap is required for students entering into this program. For more information, please view the PGA Program Requirements. |
Colleges Without Additional Course Requirements
The colleges below do not have additional requirements beyond core course and performance requirements.
- College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources
- College of Arts & Sciences
- College of Education & Human Sciences
- College of Journalism & Mass Communications
Transcript
You will self-report your academic record when completing your application for admission. Use an unofficial transcript to fill in your information.
ACT/SAT
Note: You are not required to submit an ACT/SAT score to be considered for admission. While not required, all first-year applicants are encouraged to submit an official ACT/SAT score for full scholarship consideration. We will offer you the best scholarship award possible based on either your GPA alone or the combination of your GPA and highest composite ACT/SAT score.
After you've taken the ACT/SAT, submit a request to the testing institution to send us your official scores. Our codes are the following:
- ACT: 2482
- SAT: 6877
Application Deadlines
- Summer/Fall: May 1
- Spring: December 1
Any application received after the published deadline may be placed on a waitlist. The Admissions Committee will prioritize the waitlist based upon candidates that meet Nebraska's assured admission requirements.
Note: There is no guarantee of admission for waitlist applicants.
Application Fee
There is a $45 application fee payable with a credit card or a check. If you participate in the free/reduced lunch program or are a military service member, military spouse or military dependent, you may request to waive this fee on the application. Make the check payable to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and put the applicant's full name on the memo line.
Note: You do not need to pay the $45 admission fee if you have applied for undergraduate admission at UNK or UNO within the last year and submitted an application fee to either of those campuses.
Supplemental Scholarship Application
To be considered for departmental, leadership and service scholarships, you must submit the supplemental Scholarship Application.
Admissions Committee
Students who do not meet the Board of Regents' assured admission requirements for full admission may be considered on an individual basis. Decisions are based on a holistic review of the applicant's academic performance, allowing the Committee to consider additional indicators of the student's potential for academic success at the University.
Revocation of Admission and/or Degree
Admission to or a degree awarded from the University may be revoked for: Fraud; misrepresentation; violation of university standards in obtaining the degree; serious violation committed by an applicant or student prior to course enrollment, matriculation, or graduation; or other significant infractions endangering the safety and/or well-being of the university community.