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Nebraska Wesleyan University

Lincoln, Nebraska 68504-2794

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedTight-knitUrbanGreek life

Known for business

Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private institution in Lincoln with particular strength in business and biology. With an average SAT of 1209, the school attracts a broad applicant pool.

A small campus of 1.5K undergraduates with a 13:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

69% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $56,405 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $23,140.

Established
1887
Motto
Pro Christo et Ecclesia
Type
Private university
Division
Division III

Plan Your Visit

84%Acceptance
1209SAT Avg
1,514Students
13:1Student:Faculty
69%Grad Rate
$56,405Earnings 10yr
$23,140Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate83.8%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1209

Reading & WritingMid: 575
500610
MathMid: 590
520600

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 26
2227

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$41,658
Room & Board$9,982
Books & Supplies$1,000
Total Cost of Attendance$53,350
Average Net Price$23,140
Median Debt at Graduation$26,970
Monthly Payment (10yr)$286

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$20,377
$30–48K$18,737
$48–75K$19,482
$75–110K$24,859
$110K+$27,670

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

44.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

4.8%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$17,500

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

11

Peer Average

13

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus security, emergency notification system

Incident Breakdown (2024)

3

Burglary

1

Aggravated Assault

0

Robbery

1

Motor Vehicle Theft

1

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

3

Drug Arrests

2

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (52)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

75%

Mixed

Student Body

Undergrads
1,514
Gender Split
53% / 47%
Women / Men
First Generation
26%
Pell Grant Recipients
30%

Race & Ethnicity

White 74%
Black 4%
Hispanic 11%
Asian 2%
Two+ 4%
Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate68.9%
Freshman Retention74.6%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$47,667
10 Years$56,405

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

More About This School

Varsity Sports — Prairie Wolves

BowlingGolfBasketballGolf championshipGolf history

History & Fun Facts

  • History Nebraska Wesleyan University was originally announced in 1886 and was a replacement for the former Methodist college of the same name.
  • The university officially opened in October 1888, with the completion of its first building, now known as Old Main.
  • Wesleyan opened as the only Methodist university in the state and had a single building with a 40 acres (16 ha) campus.
  • In 1933, the Nebraska Wesleyan University changed its nickname from the Coyotes to the Plainsmen.
  • In 1971, the university's Board of Governors adopted a new code of conduct, known as a Student Bill of Rights.

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

105Above Average

Estimated from NE state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Kansas Citypop. 500K
163 mi(283 min)
Minneapolispop. 430K
333 mi(577 min)
St. Louispop. 290K
375 mi(650 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

MCI Kansas City148 mi
MSP Minneapolis-St Paul329 mi
STL St Louis363 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1321 mi · ~38h 10m drive
New York, NY1181 mi · ~34h 7m drive
Hartford, CT1242 mi · ~35h 53m drive
Providence, RI1306 mi · ~37h 44m drive
Albany, NY1183 mi · ~34h 11m drive
Syracuse, NY1062 mi · ~30h 41m drive
Rochester, NY988 mi · ~28h 33m drive
Buffalo, NY923 mi · ~26h 40m drive
Philadelphia, PA1129 mi · ~32h 37m drive
Pittsburgh, PA872 mi · ~25h 11m drive
Harrisburg, PA1036 mi · ~29h 56m drive
Newark, NJ1173 mi · ~33h 53m drive
Washington, DC1046 mi · ~30h 13m drive
Baltimore, MD1063 mi · ~30h 43m drive
Atlanta, GA832 mi · ~24h 2m drive
Charlotte, NC942 mi · ~27h 13m drive
Raleigh, NC1035 mi · ~29h 54m drive
Miami, FL1405 mi · ~40h 35m drive
Orlando, FL1211 mi · ~34h 59m drive
Tampa, FL1200 mi · ~34h 40m drive
Nashville, TN623 mi · ~18h drive
New Orleans, LA838 mi · ~24h 13m drive
Richmond, VA1051 mi · ~30h 22m drive
Chicago, IL473 mi · ~13h 40m drive
Detroit, MI710 mi · ~20h 31m drive
Minneapolis, MN333 mi · ~9h 37m drive
St. Louis, MO375 mi · ~10h 50m drive
Kansas City, MO163 mi · ~4h 43m drive
Indianapolis, IN557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
Columbus, OH720 mi · ~20h 48m drive
Cleveland, OH778 mi · ~22h 29m drive
Milwaukee, WI474 mi · ~13h 42m drive
Dallas, TX557 mi · ~16h 5m drive
Houston, TX769 mi · ~22h 13m drive
Austin, TX733 mi · ~21h 11m drive
San Antonio, TX796 mi · ~23h drive
Los Angeles, CA1270 mi · ~36h 41m drive
San Francisco, CA1389 mi · ~40h 8m drive
San Diego, CA1262 mi · ~36h 27m drive
Seattle, WA1347 mi · ~38h 55m drive
Portland, OR1344 mi · ~38h 50m drive
Denver, CO446 mi · ~12h 53m drive
Phoenix, AZ989 mi · ~28h 34m drive
Salt Lake City, UT796 mi · ~23h drive
Honolulu, HI3783 mi · ~109h 17m drive
Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Deadline Calendar

Nebraska Wesleyan University Application Checklist

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