The University > Facts & History

Facts

Nebraska Wesleyan University is a small, private, four-year liberal arts college in University Place, a historic neighborhood in northeast Lincoln, Nebraska. Founded by Methodists in 1887, NWU emphasizes small classes, personal growth and global citizenship.

Degrees Offered: 48 majors, 39 minors, 3 master’s degrees

Average Class Size: 19, with most upper-level classes having fewer than 10 students

Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1

Student Body Enrollment:

• 1,601 undergraduates
• 204 graduate students
• 90% of undergraduates are from Nebraska
• 10% from 24 other states and 22 countries
• 95% receive financial aid
• 61% live on campus

History

Since 1887, Nebraska Wesleyan University has both grown and remained steadfast to a liberal arts education in a Christian environment. Nebraska Wesleyan University is considered one of the strongest institutions of its kind in the Midwest, and has been continuously accredited since 1914.

Nebraska Wesleyan University’s initial enrollment of 96 students has grown to 1,500 full-time undergraduates and nearly 300 graduate and nontraditional students. An original staff of eight has increased to over 300 faculty, staff and administrators.

Old Main, the University’s flagship building throughout its history, is also the central building of Lincoln’s University Place neighborhood. Prior to Lincoln’s growth, University Place was a separate small town; today, University Place is a historic residential area with quaint shops and cozy neighborhoods in northeast Lincoln.

Nebraska Wesleyan’s emblems have included: the Sunflower (1894-1907), the Coyote (1907-1933), the Plainsman (1933-2000) and the Prairie Wolf (since 2000). The University’s brown and gold colors reflect the original University emblem.