The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is the state’s best education-based employer and one of the best overall, according to a newly published list compiled by Forbes and Statista.

Announced Aug. 24, the America’s Best Employers by State list ranks the University of Nebraska–Lincoln No. 4 among companies headquartered within the Cornhusker State. It places the university in the same category as some of the most prestigious and well-established private companies in Nebraska, including Mutual of Omaha, Kiewit and Methodist Health System.

The Forbes listing credits the university for its work as an economic and cultural driver in Nebraska through teaching, research and service.

Popular benefits that support the ranking include the University of Nebraska system’s self-insured health benefits program and retirement package. Employees are also supported through the university’s Employee Assistance Program; employee and dependent scholarship program; University Child Care; Campus Recreation; wellness programs; flexible-leave offerings that encourage work-life balance; and organizational development assistance.

Among other recent Forbes’ lists, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln ranked No. 155 in America’s Best Large Employers (2022); No. 92 amongst all public colleges; No. 129 in research universities; and No. 28 in the Midwest.

Forbes, a business media company, and Statista, a market research company, developed the Best-in-State Employers ranking based on an independent survey of more than 70,000 U.S. employees working for companies employing at least 500 people in their U.S. operations. Respondents were asked to rate their employers on a variety of criteria — including work environment safety, compensation competitiveness, advancement opportunities, and openness to telecommuting. Participants were also asked how likely they would be to recommend their employer to others, and to nominate organizations in industries outside their own.

The final list ranks 1,382 employers that received the greatest number of recommendations in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Other Nebraska-based businesses in the top five employers list are Methodist Health System, Mutual of Omaha, Madonna Rehabilitation and Kiewit.