Creighton reaches record enrollment as Class of 2030 begins

Creighton University set an overall enrollment record this fall, reaching 8,948 students while welcoming the third-largest freshman class in University history.

The total includes students across Creighton's undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, marking a new enrollment high for the University as a whole.

"An increasing number of students are choosing a Creighton education because it prepares them for meaningful careers and lives of purpose,” says President Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD. “We are attracting talented students to our state from across the country, helping them find community, flourish as human-centered leaders and build their futures right here in Nebraska.”

Creighton also maintained a first-to-second-year retention rate of 92%, which outpaces the national average of 82%. That means more than nine out of every 10 students who began at Creighton last fall returned to continue their education.

Together, the results show that students are choosing Creighton in record numbers and finding reasons to stay.

“Creighton’s record enrollment reflects the strength of our national reputation and growing demand for the distinctive experience we offer,” says Vice Provost for Enrollment Mary E. Chase, EdD. “Students see the value of strong academics, professional preparation, our Jesuit mission and personalized support that helps them find community and purpose here.”

Meet the Class of 2030

Creighton's newest freshman class brings strong academic credentials and clear goals for the future:

• 39% ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.
• More than half earned a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher.
• 54% plan to pursue a professional program after completing their undergraduate degree.
• 39% traveled more than 400 miles to attend Creighton.
• Nebraska leads the class with 290 students, followed by Minnesota with 155. Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Hawaii and Wisconsin are each represented by more than 50 students.

Creighton’s growth is not limited to enrollment. The University is also expanding the programs, support and spaces that shape the student experience.

What students find at Creighton

1. A direct path to professional school 
More than half of Creighton students plan to pursue a professional degree. The Creighton Pre-Professional Scholars Program (CPPSP) gives students a built-in team of advisors, mentors and professionals to help them explore their path, gain experience through shadowing and pursue admission guarantees in six fields, including medicine, dentistry, law and more.

2. Support that helps students stay on track 
Creighton's 92% first-to-second-year retention rate reflects the support and community students find after they arrive. From the transition into college through the first year, Creighton offers exceptional academic advising and resources like Success Hubs, which offer one-on-one academic support in all of the first-year residence halls.

3. Research that includes students 
More than 400 undergraduates present research each year, including work through the Dr. Richard J. Bellucci Translational Hearing Center, which recently received nearly $10.9 million in renewed National Institutes of Health funding.

4. Ready for an AI-shaped world 
Creighton is taking a university-wide approach to AI education by integrating learning outcomes throughout the Magis Core Curriculum. Every undergraduate learns to use generative AI effectively, examine its ethical implications and apply it within their future profession.

5. From internships to careers, Omaha delivers 
Omaha connects students with hands-on opportunities at Fortune 500 headquarters, major health systems, innovative startups and companies across a growing tech sector.

6. A new center of campus life 
The 5.7-acre Creighton Quad opens in November with an amphitheater, pavilion, stage and fountain plaza. The space will provide areas for outdoor events, informal gatherings and daily student use.

7. New spaces to move and compete 
Fly Together is a nearly $300 million investment in new and upgraded facilities for student fitness, intramurals, club sports and Division I athletics.

8. The energy of the BIG EAST 
Creighton's BIG EAST membership brings the excitement of Division I athletics to campus and connects students, alumni and the broader Omaha community throughout the year.

9. A place for athletes to keep competing 
Creighton’s Premier Club Sports give students the chance to train with professional coaches and compete regionally and nationally. Nearly 50 members of the Class of 2030 joined one of Creighton’s seven Premier Club Sports teams this fall.

10. Care for the whole student 
Cura Services connects students with support for mental and spiritual well-being, resiliency and life skills. Services help students address personal challenges, develop practical skills and use campus resources.

Students are choosing Creighton for more than a degree. They find clear paths to their goals, opportunities to put learning into practice and a community invested in their success.