How this school serves students from different economic backgrounds, including Pell students, first-generation pathways, and long-term mobility outcomes.
University of Nebraska at Omaha ranks at the 78.5th percentile nationally on Azimuth's access index, reflecting well above average enrollment of students from diverse backgrounds. The university maintains an 86.9% admission rate in the Open Access tier while serving 33.1% Pell-eligible students and 34.8% first-generation college attendees. Additionally, 32.4% of students are transfers, indicating strong pathways for community college graduates and students changing institutions. Despite accessible admission, UNO attracts academically prepared students with SAT scores ranking in the excellent tier nationally at 1120 midpoint, though 78 points below peer institutions. This combination demonstrates the university's effectiveness in serving diverse student populations while maintaining academic standards that support post-graduation success.
The combination of accessible admission (86.9% acceptance) with top-tier value-added earnings ($19,561 beyond expectations) exemplifies UNO's Opportunity Builder profile. Earnings distribution from $37,105 to $77,577 demonstrates multiple pathways to economic stability across diverse programs. The small Pell completion gap and strong low-income earnings outcomes indicate institutional systems that effectively support students from challenging backgrounds through degree completion and into career success.
UNO ranks at the 86.2nd percentile nationally on Azimuth's mobility index, earning its designation as an Opportunity Builder institution that combines access with strong economic outcomes. The university generates $19,561 in earnings beyond expectations, ranking at the 94.1st percentile nationally and placing it among the top 25 institutions for value-added performance. Low-income graduates earn $45,000, while Pell-eligible students complete degrees at 45.7% compared to the overall completion rate of 47.5%—creating just a 1.8 percentage point gap that indicates strong support for lower-income students. With 34.8% first-generation enrollment, UNO demonstrates proven ability to serve students whose families lack college experience while delivering outcomes that substantially exceed predictions based on demographics and institutional characteristics. This mobility performance reflects the university's core mission of converting educational access into economic advancement.
Pell-eligible students at UNO graduate at 45.7% compared to the overall rate of 47.5%, creating a gap of just 1.8 percentage points. This small differential indicates relatively strong institutional support for lower-income students, with completion rates that closely match the overall student body despite additional economic challenges.
