University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Lincoln, NE · founded 1869 · 20,000 students · public research university · Big Ten Conference

Known for: A major land-grant institution famous for its powerhouse football program, cutting-edge agricultural research, and its role as the flagship university of Nebraska.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #195
QS World: #651
Times Higher Education: #401
ARWU Shanghai: #301
Forbes: #287

Top programmes

Agricultural Sciences
Food Science & Technology
Journalism & Mass Communications
Psychology
Biological Sciences
Electrical Engineering

Notable alumni

Warren Buffett — Legendary investor and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
Johnny Carson — Iconic television host of 'The Tonight Show'
Ted Sorensen — Counselor and speechwriter for President John F. Kennedy
Clayton Kershaw — Major League Baseball pitcher and three-time Cy Young Award winner
Joyce Hall — Founder of Hallmark Cards
Gene Budig — Former president of Major League Baseball's American League
Roxanne Conlin — Prominent attorney and political candidate

Traditions

Husker Football Game Days at Memorial Stadium
The 'Sea of Red' (fans wearing scarlet)
The 'Tunnel Walk' football team entrance
Homecoming Week festivities

If University of Nebraska-Lincoln were…

As a food: Runza sandwich — A deeply regional, unpretentious comfort food that outsiders don't understand but locals defend fiercely. It's hearty, reliable, rooted in German-Russian immigrant tradition, and you either grew up with it or you didn't—
As an athlete: Peyton Manning — Legendary, traditional, fundamentally sound, and forever associated with a single place and system. Manning's Colts tenure mirrors Nebraska's Osborne-era dominance—methodical, respected, and built on discipline rather th
As a person alive today: Adam Devine — The Workaholics and Pitch Perfect star is funny, approachable, and successful without being pretentious—he's made it in Hollywood but still feels Midwestern. That's Nebraska's vibe: accomplished but never showy, friendly
As a historical figure: William Jennings Bryan — The populist orator from Nebraska who ran for president three times embodied prairie idealism, traditional values, and a belief that hard work and moral clarity could change the world. UNL carries that same earnest, hear
As a movie or TV show: Friday Night Lights (TV series) — A show about a community where football isn't just a game but the heartbeat of identity, tradition, and collective pride. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose—that's Memorial Stadium on any given Saturday.
As a US president: Gerald Ford — Solid, dependable, Midwestern to the core, and a college football star (Michigan). Ford wasn't flashy or controversial—he was steady, traditional, and represented an America that valued decency and teamwork over celebrit
As a city: Indianapolis — A clean, functional, sports-obsessed Midwestern capital that's bigger and more sophisticated than outsiders expect but still fundamentally traditional and unpretentious. Both are anchored by massive football stadiums and
As an element: Iron — Strong, abundant, foundational to building everything from skyscrapers to plows. Iron isn't glamorous but it's essential, reliable, and represents the agricultural and industrial backbone of the Great Plains—just like Ne
As a car: 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty (crew cab, Husker red) — Memorial Stadium on wheels—oversized, unapologetically proud, and built for one purpose: dominating Saturdays in the heartland. Friendly Nebraska practicality meets football-religion devotion with 90,000-strong loyalty.

Campus life

Life at UNL is deeply intertwined with Cornhusker football, creating a unifying and spirited campus culture, especially on fall Saturdays. The university offers a classic Big Ten experience with a strong Greek system, numerous clubs, and a welcoming, down-to-earth student body.