About Creighton
There is no university in the country like Creighton University in terms of size, the array of professional and graduate programs offered, and the strong commitment to Catholic and Jesuit ideals and values. Founded in 1878 and one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Creighton is a vibrant and diverse learning community that offers its students more than an education.
Nationally recognized for providing a challenging and balanced educational experience, the University offers a rigorous academic agenda with a broad range of disciplines, providing more than 8,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students with degree programs that emphasize education of the whole person — academically, socially and spiritually. The student body has represented all 50 states and U.S. territories, as well as dozens of countries.
Creighton offers more than 140 academic paths in nine schools and colleges (arts and sciences, business, nursing, law, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, OT, PT and other health professions, graduate school, and adult learning and degree completion). Creighton emphasizes the importance of global education, and study abroad and immersion programs take students to dozens of locations around the world annually.
The University has campuses in Omaha and Phoenix; online educational programs; and occupational therapy partnerships with the University of Alaska in Anchorage and Regis University in Denver; and a campus for nursing students in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Creighton ranks in the top third of National Universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 “Best Colleges” rankings. Of the approximately 1,400 four-year colleges and universities nationwide ranked by U.S. News, about 20% are classified as National Universities for offering a full range of undergraduate majors, master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasizing faculty research or awarding professional practice doctorates.
In addition to the overall ranking, the University received additional undergraduate national rankings:
- Nursing was ranked No. 31 nationally in the category, Best Nursing Programs.
- The Heider College of Business ranked in the top 20% in the country, with the finance program ranked No. 15, the accounting program ranked No. 21 and the analytics program ranked No. 14.
- U.S. News also recognized Creighton for Innovation, and as a Best Value institution.
Additionally, Creighton online graduate programs in business and education earned top rankings in U.S. News’ 2023 Best Online Programs. Creighton also was cited in the 2024 Princeton Review college guide, “The Best 389 Colleges.”
Location
Omaha, with a metropolitan area population of nearly 1 million, is Nebraska’s largest city. It is located on the western bank of the Missouri River, which serves as the Nebraska-Iowa border, and is home to four Fortune 500 companies and several Fortune 1,000 company operations. The city is the major urban area between Chicago and Denver and between Kansas City and Minneapolis. Creighton’s campus is within walking distance of downtown and riverfront business, sports/recreational, cultural and entertainment districts. Creighton also is conveniently located close to hotels and the airport.
In addition to the main campus in Omaha, and online education accessible from anywhere in the world, a Creighton University Health Sciences Campus is in midtown Phoenix, and the College of Nursing has a campus in Grand Island, Nebraska.
History
Edward and Mary Lucretia Creighton, along with Edward’s brother, John, settled in Omaha in the 1850s. John married Mary Lucretia’s sister, Sarah Emily Wareham, in 1868, and the four are considered the founders of Creighton University. Edward’s work with the transcontinental telegraph and freighting, ranching, railroading and banking became a major force in the city’s economic development. The two brothers were widely known for their business enterprises, and the two couples were also widely regarded for their philanthropy.
Edward died in 1874, and his widow included $100,000 in her will to establish Creighton College in memory of her husband. Mary Lucretia died in 1876, and her executors, who included her brother-in-law John, purchased 6.2 acres of land at the northwest corner of what is currently 24th and California streets. The land and additional securities were transferred to Bishop James O’Connor of Omaha, and construction began on the school.
The bishop asked the Jesuits to operate the school, and the first president, Roman A. Shaffel, SJ, arrived in Omaha in late 1877. The school opened on Sept. 2, 1878. One priest, two scholastics, a layman and a laywoman formed the faculty. The school began with 120 students ranging in age from ages 6 to 30. On Aug. 14, 1879, Bishop O’Connor surrendered his trust to the Jesuits, who incorporated “The Creighton University” under Nebraska law. Much of the initial teaching was below the collegiate level; in 1891, Creighton University awarded its first baccalaureate degrees.
Edward and Mary Lucretia’s generosity is credited with establishing Creighton College, while John and Sarah Emily’s philanthropy enlarged it to a five-school university. Today, Creighton University consists of nine schools and colleges:
- College of Arts and Sciences (1878)
- School of Medicine (1892)
- School of Law (1904)
- School of Dentistry (1905)
- School of Pharmacy and Health Professions (1905)
- Heider College of Business (1920)
- Graduate School (1926)
- College of Nursing (1971; four-year bachelor’s degree program began in 1958)
- College of Professional and Continuing Education (Established as University College in 1983)