We are a city of lifelong learners

As a BIG10 college city, learning is in our DNA. We are a city with a voracious appetite for knowledge and discovery. From preschool to graduate school, we have some of the greatest learning opportunities and resources in the nation. Get ready to be inspired to become a lifelong learner.

Graphic showing percentages of graduates in Lincoln versus the U.S. average

Education

Percent high school graduate or higher: U.S. 83.2%, Lincoln 94.1%

Percent Bachelor's Degree or Higher: U.S. 32.5%, Lincoln 36.7%

Schools

Lincoln has 89 schools k-12

University of Nebraska
Colleges & Universities
Public Schools
Private Schools
The Career Academy

For 150 Years, A Leader in Higher Education

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln is regarded as one of the country's top public universities and a member of the Big 10 conference. UNL is proud to offer students and families the value of one of the top public university experiences in the nation. Ranked in the top third of American public universities, Nebraska enrolls students from more than 100 countries each year. Our strong academic programs are offered in a safe and modern campus environment located in the center of the U.S.A.

UNL’s students are community conscious. Dozens of school clubs and organizations task themselves with building a better Lincoln while attracting attention to worthwhile causes. The University itself is interested in the benefit of the city. UNL is devoted to innovation, diversity and community. Any student will compose a dozen reasons so many successful people choose UNL to get their start. Lincoln’s city culture benefits greatly from the dynamic with innovative young minds, fresh student perspective coming in, and of course the fire of the Husker spirit.

Learn more about the University of Nebraska.

Choices abound for Lincoln college students

Bryan College of Health Sciences

Bryan College of Health Sciences calls itself a college within a medical center, and offers programming ranging from certificate programs to doctoral degrees for students interested in a health-related career.

Doane College

Doane College is based in Crete, Nebraska but has a Lincoln presence. Lincoln is the site of Doane’s first satellite campus, which opened in 1981. The campus offers 14 undergraduate degrees, five master’s programs and an advanced education degree.

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Nebraska Wesleyan University is a liberal arts university with around 2,000 students and an affiliate of the United Methodist Church. It offers 106 majors and is known around the city for its many theater performances. Actor hopefuls flock to Wesleyan to practice their craft, and Lincolnites know to catch one of Wesleyan’s 40 yearly spectacular productions of drama, comedy or musical theater.

Southeast Community College

Southeast is a vibrant two-year public institution of higher education serving a primary area of 15 counties in southeast Nebraska. SCC offers multiple locations and online opportunities. With high-quality career/technical and academic programs and very affordable tuition, SCC provides students with tremendous opportunities to create their futures. Our unique blend of career/technical programs will provide students with the skills necessary to be successful in the workforce.

Union College

Union College is a Seventh-Day Adventist liberal arts and sciences institute, dedicated to empowering learning, service, and stewardship in its 900 students. It features a low 13:1 student-teacher ratio that ensures personal student attention and assessment which keeps Union College rated a top tier college in its regional category.

Our school district grows in numbers and in academic achievement

Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) consist of 41 elementary schools, 13 middle schools, 8 high schools, 1 alternative high school and specialized focus programs in science, arts and 4humanities, technology and entrepreneurship. LPS is the second largest school district in the state with a K-12 enrollment of 41,674.

LPS graduation rates are consistently high. In 2022, 84 percent of 12th graders graduated. LPS students score above state and national averages on standardized tests, including the ACT. Families preferring parochial and private school options have a strong selection.

LPS has ranks nationally:

#3 Best Teachers in the state

#99 Best Teachers in America (Top 100)

#193 Best School Districts in America (Top 200)

#880 of 10576 -Safest School Districts in America (Top 9%)

Learn more about Lincoln Public Schools.

Parochial School Options are Plentiful for Lincoln School Children

Families preferring parochial and private school options have a strong selection. The city has 33 private schools serving nearly 7,000 students. Nearly three-quarters of the private schools are religiously affiliated with Roman Catholic, Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, Seventh-Day Adventist and non-denominational Christian churches.

Find the perfect parochial school for your children.

Preparing students for continued education and employment

The Career Academy, a partnership between Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) and Southeast Community College (SCC), opened its doors in 2015 to offer hands-on experience, dual credit and credentialing training across 16-pathways. It provides opportunities for students who are either planning to go to college or are looking into more immediate careers and employment. The goal is to provide options for students to recognize the opportunities in a variety of careers available in Lincoln.