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UNO Leads Nebraska in 2026 WSJ College Rankings for Value, Mobility, Experience

The Wall Street Journal ranks the University of Nebraska at Omaha No. 1 in Nebraska for Best Value, Social Mobility, and Student Experience in its 2026 Best Colleges report.

  • published: 2025/10/20
  • contact: Sam Peshek - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
A uno banner on a pole with the campanile in the background.

Banner decorates UNO’s Dodge campus. Photo: Ryan Soderlin, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communication.

🎓 What’s New: The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) has emerged as the top-ranked Nebraska institution in three of five categories in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 WSJ/College Pulse rankings: Best Value, Social Mobility, and Student Experience.

📊 By the Numbers

  • Best Value: UNO is ranked #183 nationally in Best Value, the highest placement of any Nebraska school. This category measures how quickly graduates’ salary gains pay back the cost of a degree.
  • Student Experience: UNO is #367 nationally in Student Experience, No. 1 in Nebraska. This ranking is derived from a nationwide student survey assessing the quality of the learning environment and campus life.
  • Social Mobility: UNO leads Nebraska in Social Mobility. This metric recognizes schools that successfully enroll and graduate a high proportion of lower-income students with strong outcomes.

💡 Why It Matters: Taken together, these No. 1 in Nebraska rankings illustrate UNO’s role as a statewide leader in value, opportunity, and student success. The recognition aligns with UNO’s mission as Nebraska’s metropolitan university to serve learners of all backgrounds and propel them toward bright futures.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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