The University of Nebraska–Lincoln continued its upward trend in undergraduate enrollment this fall, welcoming its largest incoming class in nearly a decade and enrolling more Nebraska students.
The university enrolled 4,845 first-time freshmen, an increase of 111 students, or 2.3%, from a year ago. It is the university’s largest incoming class since 2017 and the first time since 2018 that Nebraska has enrolled more than 4,800 first-time freshmen.
The increase was led by Nebraska residents, with the university enrolling 3,658 first-time resident students — an increase of approximately 3.3% from a year ago and the largest incoming resident class in the past decade.
Overall undergraduate enrollment reached 19,416 students, up 40 students, or 0.2%, from fall 2025. It marks the second consecutive year of undergraduate enrollment growth and the highest undergraduate enrollment at Nebraska since 2021.
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The incoming class also includes 1,135 first-generation college students, an increase of 63 students, or 5.9%, from a year ago.
“Every student who chooses Nebraska represents an opportunity to strengthen our state and our communities,” said Interim Chancellor Katherine S. Ankerson. “This year’s growth — including a larger first-year class and more first-generation students — shows that more students are seeing Nebraska as a place where they can build their futures. Our responsibility is to meet that confidence with the support, opportunities and sense of belonging that help every Husker succeed.”
The growth among Nebraska students follows a year of strong interest at several stages of the recruitment process.
Resident applications rose about 6% this year, while resident admits were up 4.5% and deposits increased about 4%. Ultimately, the number of resident students enrolled was 2.5% higher than a year ago.
Overall, Nebraska received approximately 19,300 undergraduate applications this year — nearly 200 more than in 2022, the university’s previous high.
“We're seeing momentum in the number of applications received, and we're seeing it carry through to enrollment,” said Monique L. Snowden, associate vice chancellor for academic services and enrollment management. “Our campuswide recruitment teams have worked very hard to connect with potential students, both here in Nebraska and across the country. They’re building relationships with students and families and helping them see what’s possible at Nebraska.”
More than 1,100 first-time freshmen from outside the Cornhusker State enrolled this fall, reflecting the reach of Nebraska’s national recruitment efforts. Minnesota (565), Illinois (522) and Kansas (410) are the top three states of origin for Nebraska’s nonresident students.
Recruiters expanded their reach across Nebraska. During the past recruitment cycle, university admissions staff and partners reached about 85% of the state’s high schools, with a goal of reaching 90%.
The university has also strengthened its partnership with Nebraska Extension, using county extension offices and agents to help share information with students in their hometowns.
This year, Nebraska added a recruiter based in Scottsbluff, giving the university a year-round presence in western Nebraska while supporting recruitment efforts in Colorado.
The work reflects a broader effort to make Nebraska more visible to prospective students where they live and attend school, extending the university’s land-grant mission into communities statewide.
Overall, undergraduate enrollment at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has increased by 457 students, or 2.4%, since 2023, when the university enrolled 18,959 undergraduates.
The university’s fall census is taken annually on the sixth day of classes — which was Aug. 31. Metrics of note from the 2026 census include:
- 19,416 undergraduate students, up 0.2% from 2025.
- 4,845 first-time freshmen, up 2.3%.
- 1,135 first-time freshmen who are first-generation college students, up 5.9%.
- 16,845 resident students, slightly up from 16,841 in 2025.
- 23,577 total students enrolled.
- Following national trends, graduate enrollment fell 10.8%, from 3,961 a year ago to 3,553 this fall.
- Nebraska’s student body represents 49 of 50 states and 92 of Nebraska’s 93 counties.
- 28,424 students enrolled across the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and University of Nebraska Medical Center. The 2026 census marks the first year the University of Nebraska system is reporting combined enrollment for UNL and UNMC following a recent accreditation change.
