Organizer Information
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is a public university in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Its academic structure includes six colleges, including the College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media (CFAM), which houses the School of the Arts, School of Communication, and School of Music. UNO offers undergraduate and graduate education across the arts, humanities, communication, business, sciences, technology, education, and public affairs. University of Nebraska at Omaha+1
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: University of Nebraska at Omaha
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, specialist, and certificate programs
- Degrees Offered: BA, BS, BFA, BM, MA, MFA, MS, MM, PhD, EdD, EdS, and other program-specific degrees
- Academic Fields: Fine arts, studio art, art history, graphic design, illustration, media arts, creative writing, theatre, music, communication, journalism, and other academic disciplines
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art; Art History; Studio Art and Art History; Journalism and Media Communication; Communication Studies; Theatre; Creative Writing; Master of Fine Arts in Writing; additional programs across six colleges
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Applications are accepted for multiple academic terms.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate deadlines are published by entry term; graduate deadlines vary by program.
- Start of Studies: Fall, spring, and summer terms
- Application Fee: International undergraduate applicants: $45; graduate degree applicants: $50
- Tuition: Undergraduate nonresident rates start at $704 per credit for eligible online programs and $865 per credit for standard UNO undergraduate courses.
- Funding: International undergraduate scholarships and other institutional funding opportunities are available.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
UNO offers academic programs in the arts, communication, and related creative disciplines through its College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media.
Relevant areas include:
- Studio Art: Two-Dimensional Arts, Three-Dimensional Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, and Media Arts.
- Art History: Academic Art History and Arts Management.
- Communication: Communication Studies, Journalism and Media Communication, Creative Media, and Public Relations/Advertising.
- Creative Writing: Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction, and Screenwriting.
- Theatre: Acting/Directing, Musical Theatre, Stage Management, Design, and Technology.
- Music: Music Performance, Music Education, and related areas.
The university also offers programs in fields such as education, engineering, business, information technology, social sciences, and public affairs. Entry requirements and eligible academic backgrounds depend on the selected program.
General Eligibility
- UNO accepts applications from domestic and international students. Applicants must meet the admission requirements for their chosen degree and study level.
- For undergraduate admission, first-year applicants must meet the university's academic admission criteria. Transfer applicants must provide previous academic records and meet the applicable transfer and program requirements.
- Graduate applicants must satisfy the Office of Graduate Studies' general requirements and the additional criteria established by their chosen program. International applicants seeking student visas must also meet the applicable immigration documentation and financial certification requirements.
Educational Background
- Undergraduate applicants: Must provide the academic records required for first-year or transfer admission. First-year admission criteria include specified high-school coursework and qualifying academic performance.
- Graduate applicants: Must hold, or be completing, a bachelor's or master's degree equivalent to the relevant U.S. qualification from an appropriately accredited institution.
- International graduate applicants: International academic credentials must meet UNO's documentation and evaluation rules. Beginning August 1, 2026, applicants with degrees earned or in progress at institutions outside the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation from a current NACES member organization.
Some graduate programs have additional academic prerequisites or admission criteria. Applicants should consult the official requirements for their specific program.
Language Requirements
- UNO requires applicants whose first language is not English to demonstrate English proficiency, subject to applicable exemptions and alternative qualifications.
Undergraduate admission
| English proficiency test | General admission | Engineering | English major |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
| TOEFL iBT (pre-2026 scale) | 61 | 80 | 100 |
| Duolingo English Test | 95 | 110 | 130 |
| PTE Academic | 44 | 53 | 66 |
Engineering applicants must also meet the required English-test writing subscore. UNO's official policies offer alternative qualifications and conditional admission options.
Graduate admission
The university-wide graduate minimums are IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 80 (equivalent to 4 on the updated TOEFL scale effective January 21, 2026), Duolingo 110, or PTE Academic 53. Individual programs may require higher scores. Exemptions apply to eligible applicants under the university's published policy.
Application Fee
| Applicant category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| International undergraduate applicant | $45 |
| Graduate degree applicant | $50 |
| Graduate certificate, non-degree, or unclassified applicant | $25 |
Undergraduate application-fee waivers may be available to eligible applicants under specific university policies. Graduate fee waivers are available to designated categories, including eligible military applicants, McNair scholarship recipients, certain Pell Grant recipients, and eligible AmeriCorps participants.
Tuition
| Study level/category | Applicant classification | Tuition per credit hour |
|---|---|---|
| Standard undergraduate, on-campus | Nebraska resident | $275 |
| Standard undergraduate, on-campus | Nonresident | $865 |
| College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, online undergraduate | Nebraska resident | $303 |
| College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media, online undergraduate | Nonresident | $704 |
| College of Business Administration, on-campus undergraduate | Nebraska resident | $417 |
| College of Business Administration, on-campus undergraduate | Nonresident | $1,066 |
| College of Information Science & Technology, on-campus undergraduate | Nebraska resident | $436 |
| College of Information Science & Technology, on-campus undergraduate | Nonresident | $1,035 |
These are selected published rates, not estimates of total program costs. Graduate tuition varies by classification and program. Additional mandatory student fees and course-related charges may apply. Books, materials, and other personal expenses may add to the total cost. Applicants should consult the official tuition schedule for the applicable graduate rate and fee breakdown.
Funding & Financial Support
UNO offers scholarships and other funding opportunities, including options for international students.
- International Academic Excellence Scholarship: Partial tuition support for eligible newly admitted international undergraduate students, starting at approximately $3,000 annually. Eligible first-time and transfer students are automatically considered after admission. The award applies to on-campus courses and has enrollment and renewal conditions.
- Yutaka Makino Scholarship: For an undergraduate student from Shizuoka City, Japan, nominated through the SHARE organization.
- Sieu Mei Tu Endowment Fund Scholarship: Supports eligible newly admitted degree-seeking students who graduated from a high school in Asia. The award amount varies.
- College and departmental scholarships: Additional opportunities may be available after enrollment, depending on the relevant eligibility criteria.
- Graduate funding: Applicants should consult the Office of Graduate Studies and their academic department for program-specific funding opportunities.
Scholarships are competitive or subject to eligibility conditions and should not be treated as guaranteed funding.
University Services & Academic Support
UNO provides academic and career resources relevant to students pursuing creative and research-based degrees.
- Academic advising: Students can access college and program advising to support course selection and degree planning.
- Career Services: Career resources and internship support help students explore professional pathways.
- Research opportunities: Students can explore research and faculty collaboration opportunities across academic disciplines.
- Arts facilities: The School of the Arts includes dedicated creative studios, computer labs, performance spaces, and an art gallery in the Weber Fine Arts Building.
- International student support: International Student Advising provides support related to student immigration status and university processes.
- Library and academic resources: University library services support academic study and research.
Access to specialized facilities and opportunities depends on the relevant program and university policies.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the materials required for their selected program and applicant category.
Undergraduate applicants generally submit:
- An online admission application.
- Official high-school transcripts or equivalent academic records.
- English proficiency evidence when required.
- Previous postsecondary transcripts for transfer applicants.
Graduate applicants generally submit:
- An online graduate application.
- Transcripts from all relevant higher-education institutions.
- Evidence of the required prior degree.
- English proficiency scores, where required.
- Program-specific materials, which may include a résumé or CV, recommendation letters, writing samples, a statement of purpose, entrance examination scores, or a portfolio.
For graduate applicants with international academic credentials, the university's current transcript-evaluation requirements apply. Confirm portfolio, interview, and other creative-material requirements on the individual program's admissions page rather than assuming they apply to all arts programs.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
Undergraduate application deadlines for 2026–2027
- Application Deadline — Fall 2026: 17 August 2026
- Application Deadline — Spring 2027: 4 January 2027
- Application Deadline — Summer 2027: 21 June 2027
- Application Deadline — Fall 2027: 16 August 2027
The published undergraduate deadlines apply to complete admission files, including required supporting documents. Non-degree applicants follow a separate deadline tied to the first day of classes.
Graduate deadlines are program-specific and must be checked in the current graduate catalog or the relevant program's admissions information.
Location
University of Nebraska at Omaha — Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Additional Details
- UNO offers both in-person and online study options, but delivery mode varies by program. The Studio Art degrees are listed as traditional programs requiring at least some in-person attendance.
- International applicants seeking an F-1 student visa should confirm that their selected program is eligible for visa sponsorship. Stand-alone graduate certificates, non-degree study, unclassified status, and online programs are generally not eligible for F-1 status under UNO's graduate admissions guidance.
- Undergraduate tuition rates differ significantly by college and course classification. The figures above should not be used as a substitute for a program-specific cost calculation.
- International students should verify current financial documentation requirements, immigration procedures, and program-specific deadlines before applying.