Creighton University

Creighton University (/ˈkreɪtən/) is a private research university in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In 2015 the university enrolled 8,393 graduate and undergraduate students on a 140-acre (57 ha)^[6] campus just outside of downtown Omaha. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". The university operates the Creighton University Medical Center. It has a second campus focused on health sciences located in Phoenix, Arizona.^[7]

Creighton University

Former names	Creighton College (1878–1958)
Type	Private research university
Established	September 2, 1878; 146 years ago (1878-09-02)
Accreditation	HLC
Religious affiliation	Roman Catholic (Jesuit)
Academic affiliations	AJCU ACCU NAICU Space-grant
Endowment	$782.6 million (2024)[1]
President	Daniel S. Hendrickson[2]
Provost	Mardell A. Wilson[3]
Rector	Nicholas Santos[4]
Academic staff	692 full-time and 282 part-time (fall 2022)[5]
Students	8,397[5]
Undergraduates	4,290[5]
Postgraduates	4,107[5]
Location	Omaha , Nebraska , United States 41°15′53″N 95°56′46″W
Campus	Large City, 132 acres (53.4 ha)
Newspaper	Creightonian
Other campuses	Grand Island Phoenix
Colors	Blue   White
Nickname	Bluejays
Sporting affiliations	NCAA Division I – Big East
Mascot	Billy Bluejay
Website	creighton.edu

History

The university was founded as Creighton College on September 2, 1878, through a gift from Mary Lucretia Creighton, who stipulated in her will that a school be established in memory of her husband, Omaha businessman Edward Creighton. The college began with 120 students, taught by five Jesuits and two lay teachers.^[8] Edward's brother, John A. Creighton, is credited with fostering and sustaining the university's early growth and endowment. In 1878, the College of Arts and Sciences was established, and remains the largest college today.^[9] Shortly after, in 1885, the Creighton University Observatory was built on campus.^[10] Women were first admitted in 1913.^[11] In 1958, the college split into Creighton Preparatory School and Creighton University.^[12]

Academics

Academic rankings
National
Forbes[13]	194
U.S. News & World Report[14]	104
Washington Monthly[15]	311
WSJ/College Pulse[16]	127

The schools and colleges at Creighton are:

• College of Arts & Sciences
• Heider College of Business
• College of Nursing
• School of Dentistry
• School of Medicine
• School of Pharmacy & Health Professions
• School of Law

The College of Arts & Sciences is the largest school, containing about 28% of the university's enrolled students.^[17]

In 2021, the university opened its Phoenix Health Sciences Campus.^[18]

Athletics

Main article: Creighton Bluejays

Creighton men's basketball home game, CHI Health Center Omaha

Creighton competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big East. Nicknamed the Bluejays, Creighton fields 14 teams in eight sports.

The women's basketball team won the WNIT championship in 2004. It plays all home games on campus at D. J. Sokol Arena.

Demographics

Student body composition as of May 2, 2022

Race and ethnicity[19]	Total
White	72%
Hispanic	9%
Asian	8%
Other[a]	6%
Foreign national	2%
Black	2%
Economic diversity
Low-income[b]	12%
Affluent[c]	88%

University mall

As of Spring 2025, Creighton has a total enrollment of 8,403 students. Of those, 4,276 are undergraduate students and 4,127 are graduate students.^[20]

From Creighton's Class of 2020, 14% count themselves as first-generation college attendees in their families. 26% are students of color, and 56% of the class is female; 82% of the class have taken part in volunteer service.^[21]

Admissions

Creighton University reported an acceptance rate of 72% in 2022.^[22] In Fall 2023, 7,248 first-year students applied whilst 5,241 were admitted. 1,044 enrolled.^[23]

Student clubs and organizations

The university has more than 200 student organizations:^[24]

St. John's Church

Residence halls

There are eight residence halls. They are all co-educational.^[25]

John P. Schlegel, S.J. Center for Service and Justice

Law school with downtown in background

The John P. Schlegel, S.J. Center for Service and Justice^[26][27] (SCSJ) promotes service projects and education about justice.^[28]

Performing arts

• The Department of Fine and Performing Arts houses a Chamber Choir, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and University Chorus. The men's a cappella ensemble is known as the Creightones.
• The Creighton Dance Company's repertoire draws on classical ballet, contemporary and modern dance, jazz and musical theatre dance.
• Theatrical productions are held in the university's Lied Education Center for the Arts.^[29]

Student media

• The student newspaper is called The Creightonian. It was a finalist for the 2007 and 2010 Pacemaker Award for college journalism.^[30]
• Shadows is Creighton's literature and arts publication.

Notable alumni

Main article: List of Creighton University alumni

There are more than 68,470 alumni of Creighton University living in 93 countries. Nearly 30 percent live in Nebraska. The largest number of alumni outside the United States reside in Canada, Japan, and Malaysia.^[31]

Notable faculty

• Raymond J. Bishop
• Barbara Braden
• Virgil Blum
• Patrick Borchers
• Raymond A. Bucko
• Judith M. Burnfield
• John Calvert
• Edward P. J. Corbett
• Frank Crawford
• Blase J. Cupich
• Ross Horning
• Henry T. Lynch
• D. S. Malik
• Francis I. McKenna
• R. R. Reno
• Joseph F. Rigge
• William J. Riley
• Robert F. Rossiter Jr.
• Roger Lawrence Schwietz
• Hugh Sidey
• Constantine Joseph Smyth
• William O. Stephens
• Lyle Elmer Strom
• LaNada War Jack

See also

• Catholicism portal

• Education in North Omaha, Nebraska
• List of Jesuit sites
• Saint Joseph Hospital at Creighton University Medical Center

Notes

1. Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
2. The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
3. The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.