KEARNEY – University of Nebraska at Kearney fall enrollment includes students from 90 Nebraska counties and 47 states and mirrors demographic trends seen across the region and nation.
“Enrollment patterns are tied to shifting demographics, increased competition for students, and a decline in international student enrollment,” said Kelly Bartling, UNK vice chancellor for enrollment management.
Total headcount enrollment is 5,699 students, down 182 students (3.1%). Graduate enrollment is 1,643, down 25 students (1.5%).
Undergraduate enrollment is 4,056, down 157 students (3.7%). International students number 263, down 27 (9.3%). First-time freshmen enrollment is 803, down 72 students (8.2%) while first-time transfer enrollment is 302, up six students (2%).
Bartling added, “UNK continues to outpace regional and national peers in student retention while expanding academic programs in areas vital to Nebraska’s future, such as rural health, business and education.”
Enrollment steady across University of Nebraska
Enrollment at the University of Nebraska is about the same as it was during the 2024-25 academic year. Enrollment across the system’s four campuses and Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture in Curtis was 49,638, compared to 49,749 students at the same time in 2024, a difference of 111 students or 0.2%.
A bump in enrollment of first-time freshmen and medical students across the system helped offset this decrease. Overall, enrollment of first-time freshmen was up 84 across the university’s Omaha, Lincoln and Kearney campuses, and the number of medical students at UNMC grew from 4,703 students to 4,818.
“Like institutions nationwide, we continue to face headwinds with graduate and international enrollment, and there is important work ahead to ensure that we continue to grow enrollment, support workforce demands across a wide range of Nebraska industries and fuel the future of our state,” said NU President Dr. Jeffrey Gold.
Campus enrollment totals
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: 23,952 (0.2% decrease)
University of Nebraska at Omaha: 14,954 (0.1% decrease)
University of Nebraska at Kearney: 5,699 (3.1% decrease)
University of Nebraska Medical Center: 4,818 (2.4% increase)
Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture: 213 (6% increase)