Founded in 1908 as the non-sectarian University of Omaha and merging into the University of Nebraska system in 1968, the University of Nebraska Omaha is Nebraska's premier public urban research university. Spanning a dual 88-acre campus in central Omaha comprising Dodge Campus and Pacific Campus, UNO connects computer science, biomechanics, public administration, cybersecurity, and Division I athletics. You can examine its urban origins, municipal growth, and campus evolution through the University of Nebraska Omaha Wikipedia historical entry.
When you study at UNO, you enter a dynamic urban university deeply integrated into Omaha's commercial and technological sector. Living in Omaha places you steps away from corporate headquarters, software research centers, local arts districts, and city parks.
Premier Academic Programs
UNO hosts six specialized colleges delivering accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs:
- College of Information Science & Technology (IS&T): Global leader in cybersecurity, bioinformatics, software engineering, and computer science. Explore degree paths on the IS&T College portal.
- College of Business Administration: AACSB-accredited business school famous for corporate finance, accounting, real estate analytics, and entrepreneurship. Explore degree options on the UNO Business College portal.
- College of Public Affairs and Community Service: Home to top-ranked national programs in public administration, aviation, and criminology.
- College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences: Prepares clinical biomechanics researchers, public teachers, and health managers.
- College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media: Features instruction in broadcasting, journalism, digital media, and music performance.
"Earn While You Learn, early municipal work-study heritage guiding UNO's urban engagement."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Pep Bowl, the Milo Bail Student Center, and the Elmwood Park trail connections. School spirit revolves around Durango the Maverick, the energetic costumed mascot representing UNO Mavericks athletic teams in NCAA Division I Summit League and NCHC hockey sports. You can read about spirit traditions and mascot history on the official UNO Mavericks Athletics portal. Cheering inside Baxter Arena for hockey and basketball games, attending campus festivals, and joining over 200 student clubs creates a vibrant campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Biomechanics Science
UNO operates an active doctoral research framework featuring state-of-the-art technological and human movement laboratories:
- Center for Research in Human Movement Variability (Biomechanics): World-renowned research facility investigating mobility disorders, prosthetics, and movement variability.
- National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE): Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence investigating counterterrorism. Learn more via UNO Research Operations.
- Peter Kiewit Institute: Joint engineering and technology facility connecting university researchers with regional software companies.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of cabinet secretaries, Medal of Honor recipients, corporate leaders, and professional athletes, including:
- Chuck Hagel: 24th U.S. Secretary of Defense and former U.S. Senator who earned his Bachelor of Arts at UNO.
- James R. Young: Former Chairman and CEO of Union Pacific Railroad who earned his business degree at UNO.
- Marlon Brando: Legendary Academy Award-winning actor who attended the university's predecessor theater programs.
- Jake Guentzel: Stanley Cup champion NHL player who starred in collegiate hockey for the UNO Mavericks.
UNO provides generous merit scholarship coverage and metropolitan tuition grant pathways for qualified undergraduate applicants. Review full entry requirements on the official UNO Admissions portal.