About Creighton
At Creighton University, we believe education is more than a degree — it’s a journey to discover your calling, ignite your passions and shape a better world. Founded in 1878, Creighton is a top-ranked Jesuit, Catholic university blending academic excellence with a values-driven education designed to prepare students for successful careers and meaningful lives.
With a vibrant community of more than 8,900 students from across the U.S. and around the globe, Creighton offers more than 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as continuing education opportunities — all grounded in our commitment to justice, service and leadership. Whether pursuing health sciences, business, law or the liberal arts, your education at Creighton will challenge you to think critically, act compassionately and lead boldly.
Creighton’s main campus is nestled in the heart of Omaha, Nebraska — a thriving city that offers opportunities for internships, clinical experiences and community engagement, all within a welcoming environment. Creighton is home to undergraduate and graduate schools and colleges in the arts and sciences; law; medicine; dentistry; pharmacy, occupational therapy and physical therapy; nursing; and business alongside a variety of continuing and professional education programs. Here, you will find a tight-knit community with state-of-the-art facilities and connections with more than 2,100 students living in our eight residence halls. Approximately 80% of Creighton undergraduate students come from outside Nebraska, meaning everyone can find their place at Crieghton.
PIn 2021, Creighton's 195,000-square-foot health sciences campus opened in Phoenix, Arizona, making Creighton one of the largest Catholic health professions educators in the U.S. and placing students in the center of a fast-growing healthcare hub. Located along the Valley Metro Rail in midtown Phoenix, this innovative space is designed for hands-on learning with the latest technology in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and physician assistant studies.
At Creighton, education pertains to the whole person — mind, body and spirit. No matter your background or beliefs, you'll be part of a mission that values academic rigor, ethical leadership and service to others. Our students learn by doing, through research, internships, service-learning and global engagement. With a 92% first-to-second-year retention rate and 98% outcomes rate (nearly all graduates finding employment, pursuing advanced studies or participating in a service program within six months of earning their degree), Creighton students are thriving in the classroom and far beyond.
Creighton earned top 50 rankings among all national universities in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges.” We are ranked No. 33 for First-Year Experiences, No. 39 for Undergraduate Teaching and No. 44 for Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects. Creighton’s No. 44 ranking for Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs places the University among the top 6% in the nation. Additionally, individual undergraduate programs in the Heider College of Business earned top national rankings: Analytics (No. 14), Accounting (No. 17) and Finance (No. 18). Further, our online graduate programs in business and education are also ranked among the nation’s best, including a No. 33 Online MBA and No. 38 Online Master’s in Education.
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 also accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. As a designated R2 Carnegie Research Institution, Creighton is highly invested in meaningful discovery and innovation and committed to using this knowledge for societal betterment, according to our Jesuit tradition. In 2024, we were honored as one of only 25 “Leadership for Public Purpose” campuses nationwide — a reflection of our dedication to advancing justice, equity and civic responsibility.
Creighton students are deeply engaged, in academics, athletics and their communities. We support nearly 300 NCAA Division I athletes competing in 16 varsity sports, 15 of which are part of the BIG EAST Conference, as well as 25-plus sports clubs and six Premier Club Sports teams. Outside the sports arena, students use their talents in the service of others, with The Princeton Review ranking Creighton at No. 11 for 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)