About Creighton
Creighton University was founded in 1878 and today is a leading Jesuit, Catholic institution offering students an exceptional educational experience. Academic programing includes a full range of undergraduate majors, master’s and doctoral programs, as well as certificates, non-degree programs and continuing education opportunities. At Creighton, students of all ages and faith traditions learn to think critically, seek justice, serve others and lead in their communities and on the global stage.
Creighton’s two primary campuses, located in Omaha, Nebraska, and Phoenix, Arizona, are home to more than 8,500 students from throughout the U.S. and dozens of foreign countries. Rooted in the University’s Jesuit values and academic mission, students pair their academic pursuits with spiritual and personal growth through service, internships, clinical experiences and research opportunities. All of this is bolstered by Creighton’s track record of student success including a 94% first-to-second-year retention rate and 99% outcomes rate with nearly all graduates finding employment, pursuing advanced studies, or participating in a service program within six months of earning their degree.
In Omaha, Creighton has a campus footprint of 130 acres and is home to undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges in law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, and business. The College of Professional and Continuing Education offers professional development and upskilling courses facilitated by Creighton faculty. With nearly 80% of students enrolled from outside the state, Creighton University’s Omaha campus is also home to eight residence halls serving more than 2,100 students.
In Phoenix, Creighton has a 195,000-square-foot campus that opened in 2021 at Park Central in midtown, the heart of the city, along the Valley Metro Rail. The facility will soon enroll over 1,000 students and features cutting-edge technology, equipment and spaces that are all enriched by Creighton’s Jesuit education. Creighton is one of the largest Catholic health professions educators in the U.S., and its campus in Phoenix offers programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assistant studies.
Creighton is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, which includes 28 institutions in the U.S., the District of Columbia and Belize. Creighton is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools with 16 NCAA Division I athletic programs, 15 of which are competitive in the BIG EAST Conference. Creighton annually supports nearly 300 student-athletes who compete as Bluejays at the highest level in competition and the classroom.
Creighton places in the top third of universities in the prestigious National Universities category in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings and, for a sixth consecutive year, is recognized by the publication for offering a full range of undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and for producing groundbreaking research. These accolades include:
- Creighton is ranked No. 26 in Undergraduate Teaching among all national universities, reflecting its focus on impactful mentorship.
- Nursing is among the top 4% at No. 26 nationally in Best Nursing Programs out of nearly 700 institutions nationally.
- The Heider College of Business ranks in the top 20 for best undergraduate analytics (No. 15), accounting (No. 16) and finance (No. 16) programs. (U.S News & World Report 2024-2025 Rankings)
- The School of Pharmacy and Health Professions includes three nationally top-ranked programs, including Physical Therapy (No. 8), Occupational Therapy (No. 19), and Pharmacy (No. 49). (U.S. News & World Report 2024 Rankings)
Additionally, Creighton online graduate programs in business and education are currently among the best in the country from U.S. News and World Report, including No. 33 in “Best Online MBA Programs” and No. 38 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs.
Creighton is also recognized by the American Council on Education as an R2 Carnegie Research institution and, in 2024, was named to the inaugural class of 25 named as “Leadership for Public Purpose” campuses, recognizing a commitment to advancing leadership in pursuit of public goods like justice, equity, diversity, and liberty.
The University is also cited in the 2024 Princeton Review’s “The Best 389 Colleges,” ranking fifth in breakout lists for “Students Love Their School Teams” and “Students Most Engaged in Community Service.”
Creighton's Founding and 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)