
Creighton University
U.S. News National 2027
#100
Up 17 from 2026
U.S. News Global 2027
#1514
Up 12 from 2026
Acceptance rate
79.8%
2025
Peer median 63.1%
Tuition per year
$48,856
$62,508 with room and board
Peer median $58,619
Undergraduates
4,377
Student-faculty ratio 11:1
Peer median 13 : 1
Graduation rate
70.3%
4-year; 6-year rate 78.1%
Peer median 71.5%
“Peers” are the 30 closest-ranked private national universities, the same comparison used in this page's data notes.
About
Creighton University is a private non-profit, four-year Catholic institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded with a Roman Catholic religious affiliation, the university has developed into a mid-sized comprehensive institution that maintains both traditional undergraduate liberal arts and business programs as well as major professional degree divisions, including medicine, dentistry, and law. In the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, Creighton placed 100th among National Universities. The university's campus setting in Nebraska's largest metropolitan center gives students proximity to regional commercial and healthcare centers. Academic strengths are particularly highlighted in its health sciences and undergraduate business departments, with programs in physical therapy, physician assistant studies, business analytics, and finance holding national positions within the top 20 of their respective U.S. News specialty lists.
Creighton University pairs moderate private tuition with substantial spending per pupil and solid completion outcomes. In 2025, undergraduate tuition stood at $48,856, placing it below the median of peer private comprehensive universities. Cross estimates from 2024 show total expenses reached $60,929 per student, reflecting meaningful resource allocation toward student operations and instruction. Academic progression remains steady, with the university recording a four-year graduation rate of 70.3% and a six-year graduation rate of 78.1% in 2025. First-year retention is also high, surpassing all peer schools in its comparison group. For families evaluating cost against academic delivery, these figures indicate that the institution commits more funding per student than it charges in base tuition, supporting a campus environment where the large majority of undergraduates persist to finish their degrees.
This collegeRanked colleges nearby
- Setting
- Large city
- Nearest major city
- Omaha, about 5 mi
- Nearest international airport
- Des Moines International Airport (DSM), about 120 mi
- Academic calendar
- Semester
- Religious affiliation
- Roman Catholic
- President
- Daniel S. Hendrickson (President)
- Phone
- 4022802700
- Address
- 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178
Rankings & Admission
Peer median 63.1% · the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Acceptance rate by gender, 2025
In 2020: men 74.7%, women 73.1%.
Best #100, lowest #124, latest #100 over the last ten years.
Data insights
Creighton University provides an accessible admissions environment while maintaining a steady position in national standings. In the 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings, the university achieved a rank of 100, rising from 124th in 2024. For the entering class of 2025, Creighton accepted 79.8% of applicants. This acceptance rate was higher than 87% of peer institutions in its comparison group of similarly ranked private comprehensive universities, pointing to an admission process where most candidates gain entry. Once admitted, however, the university faces substantial competition in securing matriculation. The yield rate was 17.9% in 2025, showing that fewer than one in five admitted students chose to enroll. For prospective applicants, these figures mean that admission is relatively straightforward, but the institution competes widely with other schools to attract its admitted class.
School and Program Rankings
U.S. News school and program rankings · Click a school to see its programs, and a program for its full ranking
Undergraduate Rankings · 2027 edition
Business School3 programs#83▲5
Social Sciences and Humanities1 programs—
Graduate Rankings · 2026 edition
Law School12 programs#144▲4
- Dispute Resolution#32▲3
- Trial Advocacy#105▲46
- International Law#109
- Health Care Law#115▲13
- Contracts Law#120▲10
- Environmental Law#123▲28
- Business/Corporate Law#124▼11
- Tax Law#132▼21
- Constitutional Law#135▼13
- Intellectual Property Law#138▼6
- Criminal Law#142▲6
- Clinical Training#160▼10
- Full Law School ranking ›
Ranks in blue are top 10 · ▲▼ change from the previous edition · “—” means no overall ranking for that school · Medical schools are ranked in tiers since the 2025 edition
Test Scores
2025 admitted students, 25th–75th percentile · 10% submitted SAT, 41% submitted ACT · SAT/ACT optional: considered if submitted
Data insights
Creighton University operates under an admission test policy where standardized tests are optional, considered if submitted. For 2025, the middle 50 percent of enrolled students who provided results earned an ACT composite score between 26 and 31. On the SAT, Creighton recorded a median score of 1325 in 2025, which was higher than 50% of peer schools in its comparison group of similarly ranked private comprehensive universities. Students who chose to share test results more commonly provided ACT scores than SAT scores during the 2025 application cycle. Together, these figures demonstrate that applicants presenting scores generally bring solid academic benchmarks to their applications. Prospective students evaluating their readiness can use these score ranges and peer standings to understand where their test credentials fit within the academic profile of admitted cohorts.
How Hard Is It to Get In
about 8 in 10
7,907 applicants in 2025, 79.8% admitted
6,306 admitted 1,601 not admitted Yield 17.9%
Degrees & Majors
Graduates in 2025 (first major)
U.S. studentsInternational
Popular graduate programs
- Medicine · Doctoral217 (0% international)
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist · Doctoral122 (1% international)
- Law · Doctoral110 (0% international)
- Physical Therapy/Therapist · Doctoral109 (0% international)
- Dentistry · Doctoral109 (2% international)
- Pharmacy · Doctoral84 (1% international)
Data insights
Creighton University concentrates its academic strengths heavily in healthcare and business disciplines. Undergraduate degrees show substantial focus, with the top three bachelor programs accounting for 41% of all bachelor recipients in 2025. Registered nursing is the largest single major by a wide margin, awarding 275 bachelor degrees that year, followed by general finance and biological sciences. These primary fields align closely with external academic standings. U.S. News ranked the undergraduate finance program 17th in 2027 and placed nursing 36th, confirming that the university's largest undergraduate majors are also among its highest ranked. At the professional level, doctoral awards are heavily focused in medicine, occupational therapy, and physical therapy, the latter ranked 12th nationally in 2026. Post-graduation earnings underscore the economic returns of these fields: based on 2023 figures, nursing graduates achieved median first-year earnings of $87,259. For students considering professional tracks, Creighton offers established pathways with verified career outcomes.
All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard
*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Wellness, General. | $53,086 | |||
| Dentistry. | $143,831 | |||
| Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. | - | |||
| Health/Health Care Administration/Management. | $51,816 | |||
| Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic). | $107,337 | |||
| Physician Assistant. | $107,337 | |||
| Medicine. | $64,762 | |||
| Pharmacy. | $113,868 | |||
| Pharmaceutical Sciences. | $113,868 | |||
| Public Health, General. | $63,164 | |||
| Health/Medical Physics. | $63,164 | |||
| Public Health, Other. | $63,164 | |||
| Occupational Therapy/Therapist. | $73,328 | |||
| Physical Therapy/Therapist. | $73,328 | |||
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics. | - | |||
| Nursing Education. | - | |||
| Medical/Health Humanities. | - | |||
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. | $87,259-$115,676 | |||
| Nursing Administration. | $87,259-$115,676 | |||
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing. | $87,259-$115,676 | |||
| Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing. | $87,259-$115,676 | |||
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing. | $87,259-$115,676 | |||
| Nursing Practice. | $87,259-$115,676 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | $63,607-$151,229 | |||
| Organizational Leadership. | $63,607-$151,229 | |||
| Accounting. | $70,449 | |||
| Finance, General. | $69,833-$106,133 | |||
| Financial Planning and Services. | $69,833-$106,133 | |||
| Investments and Securities. | $69,833-$106,133 | |||
| International Business/Trade/Commerce. | - | |||
| Management Science. | $71,074-$95,387 | |||
| Marketing/Marketing Management, General. | $54,065 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General. | $28,842 | |||
| Biomedical Sciences, General. | $28,842 | |||
| Biochemistry. | - | |||
| Anatomy. | - | |||
| Microbiology and Immunology. | - | |||
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. | $27,887 | |||
| Pharmacology. | - | |||
| Neuropharmacology. | - | |||
| Neuroscience. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership and Administration, General. | $67,302-$115,845 | |||
| Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services. | $57,274 | |||
| Elementary Education and Teaching. | $63,355 | |||
| Secondary Education and Teaching. | $63,355 | |||
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other. | $63,355 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Law Studies. | - | |||
| Law. | $68,601 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and Experimental Psychology, Other. | $36,476 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Anthropology. | - | |||
| Cultural Anthropology. | - | |||
| Economics, General. | $57,455 | |||
| International Relations and Affairs. | - | |||
| Political Science and Government, General. | - | |||
| Sociology, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric. | - | |||
| Journalism. | $46,214 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry, General. | - | |||
| Physics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Administration. | - | |||
| Social Work. | $48,448 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theology/Theological Studies. | - | |||
| Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design. | - | |||
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General. | - | |||
| Musical Theatre. | - | |||
| Fine/Studio Arts, General. | - | |||
| Art History, Criticism and Conservation. | - | |||
| Music, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. | - | |||
| Ancient Studies/Civilization. | - | |||
| Dispute Resolution. | $59,873 | |||
| Computational Science. | - | |||
| Sustainability Studies. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Environmental Science. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Language and Literature. | $32,996 | |||
| Spanish Language and Literature. | $32,996 | |||
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics, General. | - |
Students
8,581 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 42:58 · Freshman retention 94.2%
- Continuing undergraduates 3,068
- First-year undergraduates 1,126
- Graduate students 4,204
- Transfers and others 183
Undergraduate race and ethnicity (4,377)
Age distribution
Bachelor's
Graduate students
Data insights
Creighton University divides its enrollment almost evenly between undergraduate and graduate divisions. Asian students represent a distinct academic cohort on campus, including 427 graduate students, who make up 10.2% of the graduate population. International representation remains comparatively small across all academic programs, with 17 undergraduate freshmen accounting for 1.5% of the entering cohort in 2025. Across all divisions, White students form the largest racial group, and female students represent the majority in both undergraduate and graduate studies. For prospective students, these demographics reflect an institution primarily serving domestic students, with focused minority and international presence concentrated in specific graduate and professional tracks.
Creighton University displays a clear age distinction between its undergraduate and graduate populations. In 2025, undergraduates were overwhelmingly of traditional college age, with students aged 18 to 19 making up 46.2% of undergraduate enrollment and those aged 20 to 21 accounting for 42.5%. Older undergraduates represent only a minimal share. In contrast, graduate programs attract young adults preparing for careers, with students aged 22 to 24 comprising 37.4% of graduate enrollment, followed by 35.3% aged 25 to 29. This structure indicates that undergraduate campus life is shaped by direct-entry high school graduates in residential settings, while graduate life revolves around professional and doctoral studies.
International Students
International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
95 in 2025 · 2.8% in 2016
85 in 2025 · 2.5% in 2016
Data insights
International enrollment at Creighton University represents a small share of the campus community across all academic divisions. In 2025, international students accounted for 2.2% of the undergraduate student body, a figure that was higher than 17% of peer institutions in a comparison group of similarly ranked private comprehensive universities. Undergraduate international representation has moved downward from 2016. At the graduate level, international students comprised 2.0% of enrollment in 2025, also following a downward trajectory over the same period. Among graduating students in 2025, international students made up 2.9% of master degree recipients. In terms of academic fields, international graduates concentrate primarily in business disciplines, including undergraduate finance and marketing, as well as the master of business administration program, with minimal presence in doctoral healthcare fields.
Cost
2025 cost per year
$62,508
- Undergraduate tuition
- $48,856
- Room and board
- $13,652
- Graduate tuition
- $20,056
Peer median tuition + room and board $76,053 · the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Tuition rose 34% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 33%.
Finances · fiscal year 2024
Revenue$614M
Expenses$503M
Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)
Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Campus Life
Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · Big East Conference
Big East Conference: basketball, baseball, cross country
| NCAA Division I without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 61 | 51 |
| Soccer | 31 | 30 |
| Rowing | - | 51 |
| Baseball | 37 | - |
| Basketball | 16 | 11 |
| Softball | - | 22 |
| Golf | 13 | 8 |
| Volleyball | - | 19 |
| Tennis | 8 | 10 |
| NCAA Division I without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 57 | 57 |
| Soccer | 28 | 29 |
| Rowing | - | 44 |
| Baseball | 40 | - |
| Basketball | 16 | 11 |
| Golf | 13 | 13 |
| Softball | - | 24 |
| Tennis | 10 | 9 |
| Volleyball | - | 18 |
| NCAA Division I without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 55 | 51 |
| Soccer | 37 | 37 |
| Rowing | - | 51 |
| Baseball | 45 | - |
| Basketball | 16 | 12 |
| Softball | - | 25 |
| Tennis | 11 | 11 |
| Golf | 13 | 8 |
| Volleyball | - | 18 |
Nearby & Safety
Ranked colleges nearby
-
University of Nebraska--OmahaOmaha · 3.2 mi
U.S. News #299
-
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln · 50.0 mi
U.S. News #169
-
University of South DakotaVermillion · 116.4 mi
U.S. News #262
-
Drake UniversityDes Moines · 121.2 mi
U.S. News #191
-
Iowa State UniversityAmes · 129.8 mi
U.S. News #116
-
Kansas State UniversityManhattan · 147.3 mi
U.S. News #156
-
University of KansasLawrence · 163.6 mi
U.S. News #148
-
University of Missouri--Kansas CityKansas City · 170.2 mi
U.S. News #250
-
Grinnell CollegeGrinnell · 170.2 mi
Liberal Arts #16
Data insights
Applicants exploring higher education options near Omaha will encounter several distinct universities within driving distance of Creighton. Located just 3.2 kilometers away in the same city, University of Nebraska at Omaha provides a local public option, ranked 299th among National Universities in 2027. Further west in Lincoln, approximately 50 kilometers from Creighton, the flagship campus of University of Nebraska-Lincoln is ranked 169th in the same ranking list. Across the state line in Des Moines, Iowa, about 121 kilometers away, Drake University offers a mid-sized private university environment and held the 191st spot in the 2027 national rankings. In addition, Iowa State University, located 130 kilometers away in Ames, ranked 116th among National Universities, giving students a major public research institution choice within the region.
Peer median 6.4 · the 30 closest-ranked private national universities
Incidents, 2023–2025
From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.
Data insights
Campus safety records at Creighton University indicate that incident rates have decreased over time, with alcohol-related administrative actions accounting for the vast majority of reported offenses. Forward Pathway's crime rate was 12.5 per 1,000 students in 2025, down from 2016 levels. Between 2023 and 2025, campus statistics recorded 515 disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations, making underage drinking enforcement the primary incident type on campus. Property crimes during the same 2023 to 2025 period were led by 47 motor vehicle thefts, alongside smaller totals of burglaries. Violent offenses remained comparatively infrequent, with occasional reports of stalking and rape documented over those three years. For prospective students and families, the safety profile shows that everyday security concerns mainly center on vehicular property crimes and residence hall alcohol policies rather than widespread violent incidents.
Notable Alumni
All 61Notable alumni of Creighton University include Michael P. Anderson (Astronaut killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster), Kyle Korver (Former professional basketball player) and Francis George (Cardinal and former Archbishop of Chicago).
-
Michael P. Anderson 1959–2003
Astronaut killed in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
-
Kyle Korver 1981–
Former professional basketball player
-
Francis George 1937–2015
Cardinal and former Archbishop of Chicago
-
Leo Ryan 1925–1978
American politician, teacher and former mayor
-
Mike Johanns 1950–
Former Nebraska governor and U.S. senator
-
Paul Gosar 1958–
Arizona congressman and former dentist
-
Doug McDermott 1992–
Professional basketball player, Creighton scoring leader
-
Bob Gibson 1935–2020
Major League Baseball pitcher
-
Willard Schmidt 1910–1965
Basketball gold medalist at the 1936 Olympics
Recent News at Creighton University
Summarized daily from the school's official news. Click "Source" for the original story.
-
Creighton University reached a record 8,948 students this fall, enrolled its third-largest freshman class, and kept a 92% first-to-second-year retention rate.
Source: creighton.edu
No updates on this topic in this month.
References and Data Sources
- Creighton University Official Website
- USNews Best Colleges Ranking
- USNews Bset Global Universities Ranking
- THE World University Ranking
- QS World University Ranking
- ARWU World University Ranking
- US Department of Education College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Forward Pathway US College Ranking Database
Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.