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Nebraska Ascends to Top 30 Public Undergraduate Business Programs

School of Accountancy Debuts in U.S. News & World Report Ranking
Nebraska Ascends to Top 30 Public Undergraduate Business Programs
The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings of undergraduate business programs reflect the momentum building at the College of Business. Nebraska ranked No. 30 among undergraduate business programs at public institutions and No. 59 among all undergraduate accounting programs. Photo taken before the current Lincoln and Lancaster County mask mandate.

The new U.S. News & World Report rankings show a move upward for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business. Nebraska’s undergraduate business program ranks No. 30 among public universities and No. 49 among all national institutions – a jump of four spots from last year.

“Being recognized as a top 30 undergraduate business program among public institutions reflects our focus on students and providing them a distinctive, personalized and transformative educational experience based on research and the needs of the marketplace,” said Dr. Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business.  

The ranking adds to the college's momentum since the college's strategic plan launched in 2018. Several mission-focused goals have been accomplished since then including donor support for six endowed faculty chairs, implementing the Seacrest Teaching Fellows program and increasing free tutoring for business students offered through the college's Teaching and Learning Center. To best advance the state of Nebraska and beyond, the college grew its Clifton Builders program and other entrepreneurial programs as well as created a new business and law major.

U.S. News also named Nebraska No. 59 in a specialty program ranking for accounting undergraduate programs. This marks the first time in recent history for Nebraska to appear in a specialty ranking.

Julie Uribe teaching in the accounting improv course.
Innovating curriculum to develop future accountants' communication skills, the School of Accountancy launched a course where students go through unique improvisational exercises, often using full-body movement or short scenes created on the spot. The interdisciplinary course uniquely sets Nebraska's accounting students apart from peers through the skills gained through these experiences.

“At Nebraska, we’re leading the future of accounting education by creating innovative undergraduate curriculum and professional development opportunities, advancing research with our faculty who are named among the world’s best in productivity and building a culture where students help each other succeed,” said Dr. Tammy Beck, interim director of the School of Accountancy.

One such innovation merged the worlds of business and theater into a class called Research and Communication in Accounting (ACCT 455). Taught by accounting faculty and an Emmy-winning lecturer in the university’s Johnny Carson School of Theater and Film, the course empowers future accountants to communicate effectively in the workplace during even the most unpredictable situations.  

“The idea for this interdisciplinary course originated during a discussion with industry professionals serving on our advisory board,” said Beck. “We take feedback from employers seriously as it provides opportunity to innovate and better prepare our students.”  

The overall undergraduate business ranking is now based only on the most recent year's peer assessment survey data. Previously, it was based on the two most recent years of peer assessment data. The specialty rankings of specific business disciplines like accounting will continue to be based on the most recent year’s peer assessment rankings.  

The only undergraduate business program in the state of Nebraska to crack the top 100 programs was the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. U.S. News’ rankings on graduate programs are released in the spring.

To view complete rankings from U.S. News & World Report, visit: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/business-overall

Published: September 15, 2021