On October 18, 1904, the cornerstone of the first building was laid, while in the summer of 1905 the school offered its first classes in Kearney public facilities.

Antelope Hall Several nominators and the committee suggested that this name honors the Great Plains heritage, which has distinctively shaped the institution.

Within the complex are computer labs, study rooms, TV lounges, full kitchens and centralized front desks.

The William R. Nester and Antelope Halls Complex consists of two housing units along 9th Avenue that are joined by a walk-through bridge way, that is also a lounge, study area and meeting room.

Dr. Nester's name was suggested by many nominators and won wide support from those who commented and from the committee.

[7] Lyle E. Mantor Hall houses approximately 320 students with a number of lounge areas, each equipped with pool tables, televisions, and computer facilities.

[7] George E. Martin Hall is currently (as of 2021) undergoing renovations as part of a new Fraternity and Sorority Life housing complex expected to be completed in August 2022.

[7] Men's Hall was built as a PWA project in the late Depression era (1938-1939) in the Art Deco style.

At various times it has contained faculty offices, a cafeteria, and a campus soda fountain, but it has been returned to its original use as a residence hall.

Renovated in 2011, Randall has a ground level lounge with a game room, laundry facilities and computer lab[7] H.G.

[10] Discovery Hall, located on UNK's west campus, is a 90,000-square-foot academic building that houses the construction management, industrial distribution, interior and product design, aviation, cyber systems, mathematics and statistics, physics, astronomy and engineering programs.

[10] Welch Hall was demolished during the spring semester of 2019 to make room for the new STEM building.

[14][10] The Nebraskan Student Union contains the dining hall, campus bookstore, several fast-food counters and snack shops, rooms for music, TV and study, pool tables, a ballroom used for University activities, and the Office of Diversity & Inclusion.

There are also offices for teams and staff, locker facilities, weight, training, wrestling, and martial arts rooms.

[10] Cushing Coliseum, connected to the Health and Sports Center, is the arena for indoor intercollegiate athletics.

[10] The Facilities Building houses the UNK Police Department, and maintenance shop for the university.

[10] The Memorial Student Affairs Building houses Admissions, Honors, Campus Post Office, Career Services, Counseling and Health Care, Student Support Services, Financial Aid, and Academic Advising Center.

[10] The Museum of Nebraska Art, founded by the state legislature and located in Kearney since 1986, is administered as a department of the university.

Frank Museum of History and Culture is a Richardsonian Romanesque mansion on the western edge of campus, formerly the residence of the administrator of the Nebraska State Tubercular Hospital.

Frank Museum of History and Culture is open to the public, as well as being used for University functions.

[19][20] The Lopers previously competed in the D-II Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) from 1994–95 to 2011–12 (which they were a member on a previous stint as a provisional member during the 1989–90 school year); and in the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC) of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) from 1976–77 to 1988–89.

UNK competes in 17 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include basketball, cross country, football, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and wrestling; basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball.