University of Nebraska at Omaha admits 86.9% of applicants, meaning roughly 9 in 10 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UNO in the Open Access category, representing institutions that admit more than 75% of applicants. The peer median admission rate of 78.1% indicates UNO is more accessible than typical four-year institutions, admitting students at a rate 8.8 percentage points higher than similar schools. This open access approach aligns with UNO's mission as a public university serving diverse student populations, including substantial shares of first-generation and transfer students. For prospective students, this accessibility means admission is highly likely for students meeting basic academic requirements. However, students should still submit strong applications and meet all deadlines, as competitive programs within the university may have additional requirements. The high acceptance rate allows students to focus on fit and affordability rather than admission uncertainty. Students considering UNO should view it as a likely admit option when building their college lists, making it valuable for students seeking accessible public education with strong value-added outcomes. This selectivity profile supports the university's role in providing educational opportunity to students who might face barriers at more selective institutions.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
University of Nebraska at Omaha enrolls a diverse student body that reflects the institution's commitment to educational access and opportunity. The university serves 33.1% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly one-third of enrolled students come from lower-income families. Additionally, 34.8% of students are first-generation college attendees, meaning more than one in three students are the first in their families to pursue higher education. The university also enrolls 32.4% transfer students, demonstrating significant pathways for students beginning their college careers at community colleges or other institutions. This composition indicates that UNO actively serves students who might face barriers to higher education elsewhere, including those from challenging economic backgrounds and families without college experience. The substantial transfer population suggests the university has developed effective partnerships with community colleges and clear pathways for students seeking to complete bachelor's degrees after starting elsewhere. For prospective students, these demographics indicate a campus community where diverse backgrounds and experiences are common rather than exceptional. First-generation students should know that more than one-third of their potential classmates share their family background. Similarly, students from lower-income families will find substantial peer support among the large Pell-eligible population. Transfer students will join a sizeable community of students who have navigated similar educational transitions.
Given UNO's 86.9% acceptance rate, admission is highly likely for most applicants meeting basic requirements. Students seeking alternatives should focus on cost, location, or program-specific strengths.
Strong options in your region with comparable outcomes.
Students who enroll at University of Nebraska at Omaha demonstrate moderate retention and completion patterns that reflect the challenges facing diverse student populations. The freshman retention rate of 75.8% indicates that roughly three-quarters of first-year students return for their sophomore year, though this falls 8.6 percentage points below the peer median of 83.7%. The six-year graduation rate of 47.5% means that fewer than half of students complete their degrees within six years, significantly below the peer median of 65.9%. However, Pell-eligible students graduate at a rate of 45.7%, creating just a 1.8 percentage point gap compared to the overall student body—indicating relatively strong support for lower-income students once enrolled. This small Pell gap suggests that while overall completion rates face challenges, the university provides effective support systems for students from challenging economic backgrounds. For prospective students, these metrics indicate that UNO serves student populations who may face external challenges affecting degree completion, including work obligations, family responsibilities, and financial pressures. Students should plan for potential academic and financial obstacles and take advantage of support services from enrollment through graduation. The relatively strong Pell student performance suggests that students committed to degree completion and willing to utilize institutional resources can succeed, particularly given the university's demonstrated effectiveness in generating strong economic outcomes for graduates who do complete their degrees.
Similar quality tier in Midwest (#5442 ranked)
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Similar quality tier (#5457 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#5466 ranked)
Similar quality tier (#5467 ranked)
Stronger graduate earnings at comparable price points.
Build a balanced list with schools at different selectivity and price points.
Explore More Schools