UNMC has grown its enrollment for the 26th consecutive year. The medical center’s 2026 fall census report, released by the UNMC Office of Institutional Research, shows 4,847 students enrolled for the 2026-27 academic year, a 0.6% increase over last year’s total.
UNMC saw growth in its colleges of pharmacy, nursing, medicine, dentistry, allied health professions and in house officers. It reported slight decreases in enrollment in graduate studies and in public health.
The 26th straight record year is indicative that UNMC continues to serve as a sentinel for the state, Chancellor H. Dele Davies, MD, said.
“That our numbers have remained robust during challenging times show the faith and confidence these students have in their futures – and in ours,” Dr. Davies said.
These students also are matriculating across the state, throughout UNMC’s 500-mile campus, from Scottsbluff and Gering to Omaha, and at learning sites in between. UNMC also boasts campuses in Lincoln, Norfolk and its expanding presence at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex in Kearney. UNMC is enrolling its inaugural class at the regional medical school in Kearney, while pharmacy enrolls its second Kearney cohort.
“This continued strong enrollment reflects our expanded footprint in Kearney and across the state as we continue to provide opportunities to our learners and together with them, serve Nebraskans,” Dr. Davies said. “I thank all our deans, directors, faculty and staff who continue to work hard to build engagement across our state that contributes directly to our ability to continue to meet the health workforce needs of Nebraskans.”
More than 75% of UNMC’s students come from Nebraska. UNMC graduates are the leading driver of Nebraska’s health workforce.
College of Allied Health Professions
The College of Allied Health Professions enrollment is 881 students, a 3% increase over the previous year. Allied health welcomed 336 new students. UNMC allied health students study at Omaha, Kearney and at distance sites across the U.S. The UNMC College of Allied Health Professions is one of the nation’s leaders in distance health professions education, both in terms of numbers and innovative practices.
College of Dentistry
The College of Dentistry enrollment is 312 this academic year, a 2% increase. The college includes dental students, dental hygiene students and certificate students. The UNMC College of Dentistry is located at East Campus in Lincoln, with some dental hygiene students in Gering.
College of Medicine
The College of Medicine saw 4% growth to 563 students. The new class is made up of 153 students, including the inaugural cohort of 10 at the regional campus at the Douglas A. Kristensen Rural Health Education Complex in Kearney.
College of Nursing
The College of Nursing is UNMC’s most populous college, with 1,067 students across UNMC’s five campuses in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, Scottsbluff and Norfolk. This is a 2% increase over the previous year. Students enroll in bachelor’s, master’s, Doctor of Nursing Practice and post-graduate certificate programs.
College of Pharmacy
Pharmacy saw the biggest jump in growth, with a 10% increase in enrollment, to 239 students. PharmD classes are taught synchronously in Omaha and Kearney. The college’s incoming class includes 54 in Omaha, seven in Kearney.
College of Public Health
Enrollment at the UNMC College of Public Health is 369, a slight decrease after jumping by 9% the previous year, although it remains the third largest college at UNMC. Students work toward Master of Public Health, Doctor of Public Health, certificate in public health or Master of Health Administration.
Graduate Studies
Graduate Studies enrollment fell for the second consecutive year, to 676 students. External forces affecting international students and federal research funding continue to be factors. Graduate Studies offers advanced instruction leading to Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in fields ranging from basic biomedical sciences to public health to patient-oriented research.
House Officers
Enrollment for house officers grew by less than 1% to 740. House officers are junior resident or intern physicians.