Cost & Aid

Find Your Value

As Husker alum Warren Buffett says, “price is what you pay; value is what you get.” What you'll pay at Nebraska is among the lowest tuition in the Big Ten. What you'll get depends on how you want to create the future—experience learning hands on, make new friends, give back to the world, engage with challenging coursework and prepare for your career or graduate school.

Two female students standing outside laughing and talking to one another

Tuition, Fees & Housing Costs

Resident Tuition

$259 per credit hour

What's the Breakdown?

Icon Label Cost
Tuition: $7,770 
Fees: $2,084 
Housing & Meal Plan: $12,430
Total: $22,284*

Nebraska is a state university, so residents and nonresidents are charged different tuition rates.

View the Residency Policy

*This estimate assumes 15 hours per semester for two semesters and includes a standard double room with a 7-day unlimited meal plan based on 2022-23 rates. The estimate does not include books and supplies, transportation, or miscellaneous personal expenses.

The Colleges of Business, Architecture and Engineering have differential tuition rates. See the estimated tuition cost for those colleges.

Two smiling female students sitting next to each other with the Nebraska Promise logo overlaid on the image

Nebraska Students: You May Qualify to Attend Tuition-Free

We want to make sure all Nebraskans have access to a college education, and we don't want cost to get in the way. The Nebraska Promise program covers undergraduate tuition at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for students who have a family income of $65,000 or less (Adjusted Gross Income/AGI).

Out-of-State Tuition

$830 per credit hour

What's the Breakdown?

Icon Label Cost
Tuition: $24,900 
Fees: $2,084 
Housing & Meal Plan: $12,430 
Total: $39,414*

Nebraska is a state university, so residents and nonresidents are charged different tuition rates.

View the Residency Policy

*This estimate assumes 15 hours per semester for two semesters and includes a standard double room with a 7-day unlimited meal plan based on 2022-23 rates. The estimate does not include books and supplies, transportation, or miscellaneous personal expenses.

The Colleges of Business, Architecture and Engineering have differential tuition rates. Click here to see the estimated tuition cost for those colleges.

Estimate Your Scholarships overlaid on a photo of a male and female student standing close together pointing at the camera

Out-of-State Students: Estimate Your Scholarships in 30 Seconds

We want to recognize you for your accomplishments with a scholarship! Enter your GPA and composite ACT/SAT score (if you have one) to check your eligibility.

For the 2023-24 academic year, you can qualify for most academic scholarships with your GPA alone. While not required, we still encourage you to submit a composite test score. 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.

College Pays Off

Nebraska offers access to world-leading experts, state-of-the-art equipment and a network of driven people. The challenges you'll overcome and the experiences you'll have will set you up for a better career—and a better life.

It's not just the money: Bachelor's degree holders in the U.S. receive the following benefits compared to high school graduates who did not attend college:*

  • Earnings

    • Annual earnings are about $32,000 higher.
    • Lifetime earnings are about $625,000 higher.
    • The likelihood of having a retirement plan through employment is 72% greater.
  • Health

    • The likelihood of having health insurance through employment is 47% higher.
    • The likelihood of reporting health to be "very good" or "excellent" is 44% greater.
    • Life expectancy at age 25 is seven years longer.
  • Quality of Life

    • The likelihood of being unemployed is 2.2 times lower.
    • The incidence of poverty is 3.5 times lower.
    • The likelihood of being happy is significantly higher.

Make the Most of Your
Investment at Nebraska

We want to help you stretch your strengths so you can reach your goals. Pick a path and explore what you'll get at Nebraska.

A cutout of a female and male student studying together outside, over the top of a scenic photo of the university campus

Paying for
College Basics

Part of finding your value is understanding the cost. While every college and university does it a little differently, the good news is, all the basics are the same.

See How Paying for College Works

Cost of Attendance

While all colleges and universities handle scholarships and financial aid a little differently, the basic types of charges and awards are the same:

Add:

Billed by the University
Tuition

What's charged for your enrollment in a class. At Nebraska, we charge by credit hour.

Fees

Variable costs based on the classes you take, plus some general student fees that support student services, technology, the library, etc.

Housing and Meal Plan

Cost for your room and meals on campus.

Not Billed by the University
Books and Supplies

Course materials like textbooks, lab safety equipment or art supplies.

Travel and Personal Expenses

Money you'll need to spend on yourself while you're in school.

Cost of Attendance

Your total cost to attend before scholarships and aid.

Subtract:

Financial Assistance to Reduce Your Cost
University Scholarships

Awards offered by university. At Nebraska, we offer scholarships for academic achievement, leadership, service and diversity enhancement. You do not need to pay these back.

External Scholarships

Scholarships you've earned on your own through outside agencies and are bringing to Nebraska. See External Scholarship Opportunities

Financial Aid Grants

Awards based on financial need offered by the state and federal government, other agencies or the university (you must file the FAFSA to be eligible); you do not need to pay these back.

Net Cost of Attendance

The price you pay after subtracting scholarships and financial aid from tuition, fees, housing and meal plan, books, travel and personal expenses.

Additional Assistance

Student Loans

If you need help meeting the net cost of attendance, there are low interest student loans available. Educational loans are a useful tool to pay for college, but we encourage you to borrow only enough to cover your necessary education-related expenses. Loans must be repaid with interest, even if you do not graduate.

Other Assistance

There are additional borrowing options beyond student loans for extenuating circumstances. Please contact our Student Service Specialists in Husker Hub at 402-472-2030 or huskerhub@unl.edu to learn more.

A photo of a student wearing a cap and gown and holding their diploma at the graduation ceremony

Scholarships

We want to recognize you for your accomplishments with a scholarship! After you apply, we will notify you of your scholarship awards starting in the Fall of your senior year.

To be eligible for most academic scholarships, apply to Nebraska with your cumulative high school GPA. Consideration for most academic scholarships does not require an ACT/SAT score.

While not required, we still encourage you to submit a test score to Nebraska. 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.

Leadership, Service and Diversity Enhancement Scholarships are based on holistic review, meaning your test score is only one of many aspects of consideration. To maximize eligibility for scholarships, we encourage first-year students to submit a Scholarship Statement by February 1.

Scholarship Finder

Explore scholarships! Click on the buttons below to narrow scholarship options, and see scholarships for which you may be eligible.

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Click or tap the buttons under the “Scholarship Finder” to display scholarships.

Sorry there aren't any scholarships that meet the selected filters.

  • Chancellor's Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    Full Tuition per year

    Application Deadline

    • Resident: February 1
    • Nonresident: May 1
  • Regents Scholar Tuition Commitment

    • First-Year
    • Resident

    Award

    Full Tuition

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Nebraska Career Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident

    Award

    $8,000 minimum per year

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: February 1
    • Spring: December 1
  • Nebraska Achievement Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $1,000/year (toward tuition) or Full Tuition/year

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • David Distinguished Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident

    Award

    $3,500 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Nebraska Emerging Leaders Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $2,000/year (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Husker Traditions Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident

    Award

    $2,000 renewable

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Husker Power Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident

    Award

    $2,000

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Pepsi Service Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $1,000

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Resident Nebraska Housing Credit

    • First-Year
    • Resident
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $1,500/year toward on-campus housing and meals

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Davis-Chambers Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $2,000/year minimum (up to full direct costs)

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • Native American Heritage Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Resident
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $2,000/year minimum (up to full direct costs)

    Application Deadline

    • February 1
  • George Beadle Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $15,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Priority: February 1
    • Final: May 1
  • George Beadle International Baccalaureate Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $15,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Priority: February 1
    • Final: May 1
  • Nebraska Legacy Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $14,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Priority: February 1
    • Final: May 1
  • Ruth Leverton Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $13,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Priority: February 1
    • Final: May 1
  • Scarlet Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $5,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Priority: February 1
    • Final: May 1
  • Husker Heritage Tuition Scholarship

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $3,000 or $5,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Priority: February 1
    • Final: May 1
  • Nonresident Nebraska Housing Credit

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State
    • Leadership
    • Diversity

    Award

    $3,000/year toward on-campus housing and meals

    Application Deadline

    • May 1
  • Transfer Regents Scholar Tuition Commitment

    • Transfer
    • Resident

    Award

    Full Tuition

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: March 1
    • Spring: October 1
  • Transfer Nebraska Career Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Resident

    Award

    $8,000/year (minimum)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: February 1
    • Spring: December 1
  • Nebraska Achievement Community College Tuition Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Resident

    Award

    $1,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: March 1
    • Spring: October 1
  • Transfer Tribal College Tuition Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Resident

    Award

    Full Tuition

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: March 1
    • Spring: October 1
  • Transfer Student Tuition Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Resident

    Award

    $1,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: March 1
    • Spring: October 1
  • Transfer George Beadle Tuition Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $15,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: May 1
    • Spring: December 1
  • Transfer Nebraska Legacy Tuition Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $14,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: May 1
    • Spring: December 1
  • Transfer Ruth Leverton Tuition Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $10,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: May 1
    • Spring: December 1
  • Transfer Aaron Douglas Tuition Scholarship

    • Transfer
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    $4,000 (toward tuition)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: May 1
    • Spring: December 1
  • Husker Salute Pledge

    • First-Year
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    Waiver of Nonresident Portion of Tuition (estimated at $17,400)

    Application Deadline

    • Priority: February 1
    • Final: May 1
  • Transfer Husker Salute Pledge

    • Transfer
    • Out-of-State

    Award

    Waiver of Nonresident Portion of Tuition (estimated at $17,400)

    Application Deadline

    • Fall: May 1
    • Spring: December 1
  • Additional Scholarships

    Many organizations outside of the university offer scholarships to college-bound students. Nebraska keeps a list of top scholarship opportunities—including the Susan T. Buffett scholarship worth $11,100 per year. Click below to see the full list, requirements, deadlines and links to application instructions.

File the FAFSA and
Get Help Paying for School

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your key to need-based financial aid like scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. It's money from the government to help you pay for college.

  1. Start Early

    Explore how you plan to pay for college.

  2. File the FAFSA

    Determine what financial assistance you qualify for.

  3. Review Aid Offer

    We mail award letters starting in December.

  4. Accept Aid

    You must accept awards prior to release of funds.

File the FAFSA as early as October 1 of your senior year. The priority deadline to file is June 1. Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone is encouraged to file the FAFSA since most Huskers receive at least one type of need-based financial aid after filing their FAFSA.

File Your FAFSA Today

Financial Aid

Beyond scholarships, financial aid from the government can provide monetary assistance to help you make your goals a reality. Most Huskers receive at least one of the three forms below after they file their FAFSA.

After you are admitted and submit your FAFSA, you will receive a financial aid offer letter. See an example Financial Aid offer

Husker Hub

Where students go to handle the business of being a Husker.

Campus buildings photographed at an extreme angle with a red overlay on top of the image

Make Sense of Paying for College

We know working out how to pay for college can be a little complicated, so our experts in Husker Hub are here to help. Husker Hub Student Services Specialists will work with you 1-to-1 to answer any of your questions about financial aid, scholarships, grants or any other aspect of paying for college. Contact Husker Hub at huskerhub@unl.edu or 402-472-2030 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CDT.

Already Applied?

If you've already applied to Nebraska and have questions about paying for college—including scholarships and financial aid—you can join our virtual visit queue, no appointment required. Use your NUID to log in and chat 1-to-1 with a full-time Student Services Specialist. Virtual Visits are available Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CDT. Simply follow the link below to join the queue!

Join Our Mailing List

We'll send you personalized information about joining our community of doers, thinkers and creators—including details on your major of interest, scholarships and more.

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