Nebraska Universities Show Mixed Fall 2025 Enrollment Trends

The University of Nebraska system reported a slight overall decline in enrollment for fall 2025, with a total of 49,638 students across its campuses, down by 111 from the previous year. The Kearney campus experienced the largest drop at 3.1%, primarily due to decreases in international and graduate student numbers, although first-time transfer student enrollment increased slightly. Conversely, the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) saw its enrollment rise for the 25th consecutive year, growing by 2% to 4,818 students, reflecting ongoing efforts to address statewide healthcare workforce needs. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln maintained a nearly steady enrollment with a minor decrease of 0.2%, but showed growth in undergraduate and first-time freshmen numbers, particularly in high-demand fields such as engineering, business, and health sciences. NU President Jeffrey Gold and campus leaders highlighted that shifts in demographics and competition are impacting enrollment trends, while growth in health profession programs remains a key focus for meeting Nebraska’s future workforce demands. Despite enrollment challenges, the university system continues to expand academic programs and student retention initiatives that support Nebraska’s educational and economic goals.