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The university was founded asCreighton College on September 2, 1878, through a gift fromMary Lucretia Creighton, who stipulated in her will that a school be established in memory of her husband, Omaha businessmanEdward 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, theCreighton University Observatory was built on campus.[10] Women were first admitted in 1913.[11]
In 1958, the college split intoCreighton Preparatory School and Creighton University.[12] The university ran a four-year series of celebrations from 2012 to 2015 commemorating the fiftieth anniversaries of the four sessions of theSecond Vatican Council.[13] In 2021, the university opened its Phoenix Health Sciences Campus.[14]
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.[21]
From Creighton's Class of 2020, 14% count themselves asfirst-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.[22]
Creighton University reported an acceptance rate of 72% in 2022.[23] In Fall 2023, 7,248 first-year students applied whilst 5,241 were admitted. 1,044 enrolled.[24]
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.[30]
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.[32]
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