University of Nebraska Medical Center enrollment rises for 24th straight year

For the 24th straight year, enrollment at the University of Nebraska Medical Center increased. The fall enrollment figure is 4,703 students, a 3.2% rise from last fall.

The increase was driven by enrollment increases in graduate studies, pharmacy, allied health professions and nursing.

More than 75% of total enrolled students are Nebraska residents.

UNMC Interim Chancellor Dele Davies, MD, said he is pleased UNMC continues to see enrollment growth, citing increased numbers in longstanding programs, as well as in new, innovative degree programs – in public health, allied health and other areas – that ultimately will allow more health care professionals to improve the lives of the people they serve.

“We continue to add innovative degree options to better serve the state of Nebraska and beyond, and our continued growth provides increased opportunity to improve the health and well-being of Nebraskans and people around the world,” he said.

“With continued growth comes increased opportunity to impact the health and well-being of those we serve in Nebraska and beyond,” Dr. Davies said. “And with more than 75% of our UNMC students being drawn from Nebraska, UNMC continues to fulfill its mission to provide Nebraska’s next generation of medical and health care professionals.”

In the past five years, UNMC enrollment has grown steadily, from 4,239 students in 2020 to the current total, an increase of 464 total students, or nearly 11%.

Interim Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Jane Meza, PhD, said the growth speaks to the strength of UNMC’s programs.

“Across the medical and health profession spectrum, our programs – including 11 new programs in the past four years – are respected and effective,” Dr. Meza said. “Today’s news that we continue to grow is a testament to the reputation of UNMC’s educators and the graduates it produces.”  

Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies enrollment is 771 students, 51 more than 2023, with 242 new students. Graduate Studies offers advanced instruction leading to master’s of science and doctor of philosophy degrees in fields ranging from basic biomedical sciences to public health to patient-oriented research. Among all UNMC graduate students, 69% are enrolled in PhD programs.

College of Pharmacy
The college admitted 70 new students, nearly a 43% jump in new enrollees compared to 2023. Of the 200 total students in the four-year program, 84% are Nebraska residents.

College of Allied Health Professions
A total of 825 students are enrolled in the college. The 381 new students represent a 10% rise in new enrollees from 2023. The UNMC College of Allied Health Professions has 109 online students, up from 73 in 2023, a nearly 50% increase.

College of Nursing
The College of Nursing enrolled 1,018 students across UNMC’s five campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk. This includes 736 students in the bachelor’s in nursing program, 120 students in the master’s in nursing program, 145 students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP) and 17 post-graduate certificate students. 

College of Dentistry
The College of Dentistry admitted 87 new students. The total student enrollment is 300, only one student less than 2023. In the college, which includes dental students, dental hygiene students and certificate students, 234 are Nebraska residents and 66 are non-residents.

College of Medicine
There are 135 new students entering their first year of medical school, bringing the total enrollment to 522, down 1% from 2023. Nearly 85% of the medical students are Nebraska residents. In addition, there are 715 house officers (resident physicians and fellows) training at UNMC, up 5% from 2023.

College of Public Health
Enrollment for the College of Public Health’s professional programs is 352, a 5% decrease, but one that comes on the heels of a 13% increase for the college in 2023. Forty percent of the college’s students are Nebraska residents.

Munroe-Meyer Institute
The Munroe-Meyer Institute will provide interdisciplinary clinical and research training to 228 students enrolled in visiting scholars, master’s and doctoral programs from universities in Nebraska and across the country, including UNMC. There are 24 students enrolled in the joint Applied Behavior Analysis master’s program, 24 the ABA doctoral program, 15 students on postdoctoral/clinical fellowships and 165 students enrolled as visiting scholars. MMI also involved in training in other clinical, research, outreach and community engagement training across more than 10 allied health disciplines. In the last calendar year MMI had 408 long-term trainees. (Since students participating in these programs are enrolled at other institutions or other UNMC colleges, MMI enrollees are not counted in total UNMC enrollment numbers.)