This fall, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s six-year graduation rate hit an all-time historical high of 67%, an increase of 3% over last year.
The University of Nebraska system six-year graduation rate also reached a historical high of 71.1%, reflecting UNL students who transferred to another University of Nebraska institution and graduated in six years.
Over the past decade, Husker graduates have steadily increased completing their degrees in fewer years. Of those who graduated in 2024-2025, 71.4% earned their degrees in four or less years, an 18.2% increase compared to graduates in 2015-16.
“Student success is at the heart of everything we do,” said Mark Button, executive vice chancellor. “From prioritizing four-year plans and advising and scheduling technologies to collaborating on initiatives with Student Life, our faculty and staff have eliminated institutional barriers to create a powerful undergraduate experience for our Huskers.”
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's 2025 first-year student retention rate, which measures how many first-year students from 2024 returned for the fall 2025 semester, is 85.7%. While a slight decrease of .3% over the 2024 historical high of 86.0%, the 2025 retention rate is the second highest recorded in the past decade.
These increases are a reflection of the university's commitment to the power of "every person and every interaction matters," which is realized through the Husker Student POWER guiding framework. The program elements of purpose, ownership, well-being, engagement and relationships connect students to campus experiences, opportunities and resources. The Husker Student POWER survey helps identify and provide assistance to first-year and transfer students who need extra support.
These efforts, along with the everyday actions of faculty and staff — from helping students navigate campus resources to caring for their personal well-being — positively impact students as they work toward achieving academic goals.
