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Enrollment of First-Time Business Freshmen Climbs Again

Enrollment of First-Time Business Freshmen Climbs Again
In five years, first-time freshmen have increased by 29.5 percent at the College of Business.
Enrollment at the new College of Business at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln climbed to 4,462 students this fall. A 14.8 percent increase in first-time freshmen students – with 839 joining the college as of September – spurred the growth. In five years, first-time freshmen have increased by 29.5 percent.

With 3,918 undergraduate students earning a business major, the college is also home to 544 graduate students. Additionally, more than 1,000 students, who are not included in the enrollment numbers, pursue a business minor for non-business students. The students taking the business minor courses major in everything from engineering to nutrition to athletic training through the UNL campus.

“Our highly regarded programs, faculty experts and strong community continue to drive the college’s growth. With the opening of the 240,000-square-foot Howard L. Hawks Hall in August, students can take advantage of learning in state-of-the-art classrooms, access to innovative centers, breakout rooms, study spaces and highly professional staff all housed under one roof,” said Dr. Kathy Farrell, interim dean and State Farm Professor of Finance. “There has never been a more exciting time to study business at Nebraska.”

Freshman Logan Lewis was attracted to the College of Business through the strong actuarial science program and Nebraska Business Honors Academy.
Freshman Logan Lewis was attracted to the College of Business through the strong actuarial science program and Nebraska Business Honors Academy.
Logan Lewis, a freshman actuarial science major from Lake Villa, Illinois, explained his journey to Lincoln was sparked by several factors. He explored other schools, but the signs kept pointing to Nebraska as the perfect destination.

“I looked at schools with the Centers of Actuarial Excellence designation which is why I applied at Nebraska,” said Lewis. “Then I discovered the College of Business not only has a business emphasis for actuarial science, but they also have the Nebraska Business Honors Academy within the college. I got accepted into the Honors Academy, which gives me even more opportunities I wouldn’t get elsewhere.”

Lewis’ visit to Nebraska also made a big impact. He said he felt welcome at the college due to the genuine sense of community.

“The people in the actuarial science program and the Honors Academy made me feel like I mattered. In my first weeks here, I’ve already experienced first-hand how open and welcoming the professors are if I have questions. Plus, the new building is amazing,” he said.

E.J. Stevens, a first-year student in the master of arts in business with a specialization in intercollegiate athletics program, came to Nebraska from Apple Valley, Minnesota, as one of 544 graduate students enrolled in the College of Business. His decision to move to the Cornhusker state also became clear on his visit.

“Everything feels close-knit at Nebraska,” said Stevens. “My apartment, the athletic facilities and the College of Business are all within about a mile radius. The people made me feel comfortable too, even though they didn’t know me. The opportunity to join a highly-ranked Big Ten business school along with pursuing my passion in athletic administration made it an easy decision to come to Nebraska.”

More than one-third of undergraduate students at the College of Business hail from outside the state of Nebraska. Nearly two-thirds of graduate students, including many earning their MBA online, are non-native Nebraskans. 
Published: September 8, 2017