About Union College

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Founded in 1891 as a Seventh-day Adventist university, Union encourages students from all faith backgrounds to find their God-designed potential for leadership, scholarship and service. At Union, students develop spiritual and professional gifts; find professors who care for and respect the individual; and seize opportunities to create, learn and connect.

An accredited, comprehensive university, Union offers active learning in a vibrant Christian atmosphere where students connect the classroom to their world. With a focus on undergraduate studies, Union’s nurturing environment offers a traditional liberal arts education combined with practical experiences such as internships, academic and career counseling, study abroad and both local and global service opportunities.

As of May 2024, Union College will be renamed Union Adventist University. 

Quality Academics

50+

majors, minors and emphases offered in 24 fields of study.

See our programs here. 

"Top-tier"

... our designation from U.S. News and World Report. Union is ranked #22 in our category by the publication. This is the 17th year in a row we have received the "Best Colleges" designation.

9 students

... the average class size. 74% of classes have fewer than 20 students. Less than 1% of classes have more than 50 students.

8:1

... the ratio of students:teachers. At Union, your teachers will know you by name and give you the personal and personalized education that will help you succeed.

Strengthened by our diversity

#2
most diverse

Union College is among the most ethnically diverse institutions in our category according to U.S. News.

705

... 2022-2023 enrollment

  • 619 undergraduate students
  • 86 graduate students

15 to 73
years old

While the average undergraduate is 21, Union College embraces learners of all ages.

$5,365,985

... the total voluntary support received during the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Union's percentage of alumni giving is the highest of any Adventist college or university.

40:60

... the ratio of male to female students.

14 countries

... represented by our student body.

37 states

... represented by our student body.

An out-of-classroom experience

100%

... of weekends during the academic year with social activities planned by students for students.

6 teams

Union's athletics teams include: men's and women's basketball, men's and women's golf, women's volleyball, men's soccer and co-ed acrobatic gymnastics. 

9 sports

... offered throughout the school year through the intramural sports program.

92%

... of students participate in an internship, practicum, preceptorship or similar real-world training.

Affordable value

100%

... of students receive institutional scholarships and grants.

26%

... of the total cost of a Union College education is paid for through donations from alumni and other supporters.

2.2%

... the student loan default rate for Union College alumni, far below the national average of 7.3%—a key indicator of financial success and stable employment.

450+

... students employed on-campus learning career skills and earning tuition money. 

A great place to study

0.5 miles

... the distance from Union's campus to the nearest lake. 

50 acres

... the size of Union's campus in southeastern Lincoln, Nebraska.

0.1 miles

... the distance from Union's campus to the nearest coffee shop.

100+ species

... of trees on campus. Part of Nebraska's state-wide arboretum, Union College's trees are among the oldest in the region.

280,364

... the population of our hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. 

0.2 miles

... the distance from campus to the nearest park. Lincoln has more than 125 public parks. 

131+ miles

... of bicycle and running trails connecting Lincoln. 

500+

... restaurants in Lincoln. 

11

... public and academic libraries in Lincoln available to Union College students, including the University of Nebraska's research library. 

8

... accredited colleges and universities in the Lincoln area, meaning there's always something happening in Lincoln.