Lincoln
Vibrant and growing, Lincoln is ranked at the top as one of the happiest and healthiest cities in the nation. Nearly 300,000 people call Lincoln their home or home away from home because it offers the energy of a city and the familiarity of a town.
The low cost of living—6.6% below the national average—paired with the high quality of life makes Lincoln an affordable, enjoyable community for graduate students. In the heart of downtown, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln maintains a close relationship with the city through events, opportunities and support for Nebraska students.
QUICK FACTS
- Average rent for an apartment: $945/month
- Average apartment size: 924 sq. ft.
- No. 4 in Cities Where Renters Can Afford to Live Alone (SmartAsset, 2018)
- No. 3 in Best Cities for Quality of Life (NerdWallet, 2017)
- Health care costs in Lincoln are among the lowest in the nation
- No. 1 in America’s Healthiest Cities (Daily Finance, 2014)
- Lincoln Public Schools ranked No. 2 in quality of education in an 8-state area of the Midwest
- Bicycle Friendly Community (The League of American Bicyclists, 2012)
- Average monthly electricity bill: $97
Housing
On-Campus
Traditional residence halls, apartment-style and suite-style living, and family housing are available on both City Campus and East Campus. Some halls offer year-round housing and most halls have dining services nearby.
Traditional Residence Halls and Apartment/Suite Living
More information on each hall type and amenities is available through University Housing.
Family Housing
Application and eligibility information on family-oriented facilities is available through Family Housing.
Temporary Housing
Sleeping accommodations and meal service to students arriving early are offered only in University Suites residence hall from mid-May through mid-August. Learn more about Guest Housing on campus. The university is also within walking distance of nearby hotels off campus.
Off-Campus
Living off campus in one of Lincoln’s 45 neighborhoods is a great option with commute time averaging 18.5 minutes and widespread access to public transportation through StarTran Bus Service.
Apartments and Houses for Rent or Sale
Your move to Lincoln starts with finding a place to settle into. Take the challenge out of finding off-campus housing with these search tools: Zillow, Craigslist, or RENTCafé.
NOTE: We strongly advise students to investigate rentals before signing a lease commitment. We do not inspect or offer any guarantee for the condition or quality of the units listed and do not endorse any of the listed properties. Please review Student Legal Services guidelines on how to find, inspect, and evaluate housing.
Utilities and services
- Electricity: Lincoln Electric System
- Water: City of Lincoln
- Natural gas: Black Hills Energy
- Telecom services (internet, TV, etc.): Windstream, Spectrum, Allo
Insurance
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a student health insurance plan for students, their spouses and dependents. Assistantship packages cover 79% of the plan for graduate students.
If you are looking for other health insurance coverage, auto insurance, or other forms of insurance, the Nebraska Department of Insurance can help you find a licensed insurance agent or insurance company in Nebraska.
Lincoln Public Schools
Lincoln Public Schools the second largest public school district in the state of Nebraska with more than 60 schools and programs. As one of the most diverse and top-ranked school districts in Nebraska, it serves students who speak more than 52 languages. Learn more about Lincoln Public Schools.
Childcare
Options for childcare include on-campus facilities, off-campus sites and a service provided by Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to search for child care providers in Lincoln. Consider your childcare options and/or check the Roster of Licensed Child Care and Preschool Programs in Nebraska.
Buildings and Maps
Find UNL campus maps as well as live tracking for public transportation here.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Omaha
Just an hour drive eastward from Lincoln sits Omaha—the city in which the Peter Kiewit Institute and the University of Nebraska at Omaha reside. Omaha is a thriving metropolitan area that's home to nationally recognized events such as the NCAA College World Series, U.S. Swim Trials and U.S. Senior Golf Open.
More than 466,000 people live in Omaha, making it the largest city in Nebraska. The overall cost of living in Omaha remains true to the low percentage across Nebraska at 5%.
QUICK FACTS
- Average rent for an apartment: $905/month
- Average apartment size: 894 sq. ft.
- No. 2 in Cities Where Renters Can Afford to Live Alone (SmartAsset, 2018)
- No. 17 in Best Cities for Quality of Life (NerdWallet, 2017)
- No. 1 in Best Cities for College Grads (ZipRecruiter, 2018)
- Average monthly electricity bill: $114
Learn more about living in Omaha, Nebraska.
Housing
On-Campus
Nebraska graduate students who are part of the Peter Kiewit Institute have access to apartment-style, traditional and graduate housing on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus.
Traditional Residence Halls and Apartment/Suite Living
More information on each hall type and amenities is available through Housing and Residence Life.
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
Known as the "20-minute city," Omaha has a travel time just under 20 minutes which makes the variety of off-campus living a great option if you want to stay near campus.
University of Nebraska at Omaha Official Source for Off-Campus Rentals
If living off campus is a preferable option, refer to UNO's officially recommended and sponsored service for finding housing options near campus.
Apartments and Houses for Rent or Sale
Your move to Lincoln starts with finding a place to settle into. Take the challenge out of finding off-campus housing with these search tools: Zillow, Craigslist or RENTCafé
NOTE: We strongly advise students to investigate rentals before signing a lease commitment. We do not inspect or offer any guarantee for the condition or quality of the units listed and do not endorse any of the listed properties.
Utilities and services
- Electricity: Omaha Public Power District
- Water: Metropolitan Utilities District
- Natural gas: Metropolitan Utilities District
- Telecom services (internet, TV, etc.): CenturyLink, Cox, Spectrum
INSURANCE
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln offers a student health insurance plan for students, their spouses and dependents. Assistantship packages cover 79% of the plan for graduate students.
If you are looking for other health insurance coverage, auto insurance, or other forms of insurance, the Nebraska Department of Insurance can help you find a licensed insurance agent or insurance company in Nebraska.
Omaha Public Schools
Omaha Public Schools the largest public school district in the state of Nebraska with more than 80 schools. With more than 52,000 students enrolled, it serves families and their students with an expansive selection of programs. Learn more about Omaha Public Schools.
Childcare
Options for childcare include an on-campus facility through the University of Nebraska at Omaha Child Care Center or check the Roster of Licensed Child Care and Preschool Programs in Nebraska.
Buildings and Maps
Find UNO campus maps as well as live tracking for shuttles and public transportation here.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
In Omaha:
- Omaha Metro
- N-E RIDE Shuttle
- N-E RIDE Shuttle
- N-E RIDE Shuttle
- Heartland B-cycle
- UNO Shuttle
- Sustainable Transportation
To/From Lincoln: