The 6 Largest College Campuses in Nebraska

6. Wayne State College – 128 acres

Sitting on 128 acres in far northeastern Nebraska, Wayne State University has a student body of 4,773. The university’s in-state students come primarily from Douglas, Madison, and Wayne counties.

Wayne State University has four main academic schools and 130 degree programs for students to explore. In addition, there are over 100 student organizations ranging from athletics to art clubs.

5. Chadron State College – 236 acres

Located in the northwestern corner of the state, Chadron State College sits on 263-acre campus. The school is located to the south of the city of Chadron and is a short drive from the Chadron Municipal Airport.

Chadron State College is situated in Nebraska’s Pine Ridge area, and about 40% of its topography is composed of steep hills. The campus borders Thompson Preserve, featuring trails that wind past ponds and trees. The school offers dozens of academic programs along with six different graduate degrees. Students can get involved in one of the college’s many extracurricular programs, such as the choir and the Eagle newspaper.

4. Doane University – 300 acres

About 20 miles southwest of Lincoln in the town of Crete, Nebraska, Doane University’s campus stretches for 300 acres. The school was the state’s first college to join the Nebraska Statewide Arboretum, thanks to the vibrant tree canopy that shades much of the campus.

The school was first established in 1871 as Crete University and the campus still utilizes many of its historic structures. Doane University is home to Boswell Observatory, which is the oldest functioning observatory located west of the Missouri River. This building was constructed in 1883 and is the oldest building on the school’s campus.

Doane University provides students with a comprehensive liberal arts education with 40 undergraduate degree programs and 9 programs for graduate students. At its main campus in Crete, the school boasts an average class size of 11 students, along with a variety of student activities, programs, and athletics.

3. University of Nebraska at Kearney – 515 acres

In south-central Nebraska just north of the Platte River, the University of Nebraska at Kearney’s (UNK) campus encompasses 515 acres. The school has a student body of more than 4,400 undergraduate students and 1,800 graduate students. The campus at UNK includes nearly 50 buildings that range from classrooms and labs to sports venues.

At UNK, students can explore 121 undergraduate degree programs and an additional 54 programs for graduate students. The school emphasizes research programs for undergraduates, pairing students with professors for guidance and support.

Not only do UNK students benefit from the school’s high-quality academics, they can also witness the annual migration of sandhill cranes as they move through the area. Kearney is known as the “Sandhill Crane Capital of the World” due to the thousands of cranes that arrive in the late winter during their northern migration.

2. University of Nebraska Omaha – 685 acres

Located near the Nebraska-Iowa state border, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) boasts a 685-acre campus. Centrally located near downtown Omaha, the school has an undergraduate enrollment at least 12,000. Despite its large student body, over 40% of its classes have less than 20 students.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is well-known for its degree programs in business administration, psychology, and elementary education. In addition to the school’s strong academics, UNO students can explore the culture and attractions throughout the city of Omaha, including the Henry Doorly Zoo and the Joslyn Art Museum. The city also hosts annual events like the Taste of Omaha festival.

1. University of Nebraska-Lincoln 856 acres

With a sprawling, 856-acre campus, the University of Nebraska at Lincoln is home to the largest college campus in Nebraska. Originally founded in 1869, the school has grown to accommodate a student body of over 23,000 students. The school is divided into three locations, which include City Campus, East Campus, and Campus Innovation.

The University of Nebraska at Lincoln features several important facilities, including the University of Nebraska State Museum, the Sheldon Museum of Art, and Memorial Stadium.

The culture and energy of UNL is pervasive in Lincoln, where Cornhuskers football fans enthusiastically cheer on the school’s team. In addition to serving as the state’s capital, Lincoln is one of the oldest cities in Nebraska, providing university students with access to unique experiences like a stroll through the city’s Sunken Gardens or a tour of the Nebraska State Capitol Building, which houses the country’s only unicameral legislature.