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University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · City · 7,529 students
Website Common App Forbes ranking Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$15,901
Average net priceYour net price
In-state
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
68%
Graduation rate
54% typical
$55,177
Earnings 10 years on
$55,177 typical
93%
Acceptance rate
82% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

The University of Northern Iowa is widely recognized for its premier teacher education programs and the prestigious David W. Wilson College of Business, which is nationally renowned for its standout accounting curriculum and stellar CPA exam pass rates. As a primarily undergraduate-focused public institution, UNI sets itself apart by offering students direct faculty mentorship and hands-on research opportunities rarely accessible to undergraduates at larger universities. Campus life is close-knit and spirited, anchored by an engaged student body, a welcoming Cedar Falls community, and passionate support for NCAA Division I Panther athletics inside the iconic UNI-Dome.

Wikipedia:The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a public university in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 90 majors across five colleges. The fall 2025 total enrollment was 9,204 students.

Location
Cedar Falls, IA, 50614-0005 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MSP · Minneapolis
168 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$9,936$21,712
Housing & food (on campus)$9,986$9,986
Books & supplies$800$800
Cost of attendance$22,278$33,675
Average net price$15,901Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$21,712
In-state: $9,936
Housing & food (on campus)$9,986
Books & supplies$800
Cost of attendance$33,675
In-state: $22,278
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $15,901
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: admissions.uni.edu
How it’s made up · out-of-state
Tuition$21,578
Fees$1,451
Books & supplies$800
Personal expenses$1,920
Transportation$818
Total published by the school$33,675
Net price by family income · in-state students
$0–30k
$10,863
$30–48k
$11,751
$48–75k
$14,099
$75–110k
$17,740
$110k+
$18,706
Grants from the school
80% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $3,722
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Merit aid
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$5,043
Share of first-years who get one39%
Source: University of Northern Iowa's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
68%
Within 4 yrs
47%
Back for yr 2
82%
Transferred
21%
Pell students: 58.0% · others: 71.1% 
8 yrs after starting
68% graduated · 23% transferred · 9% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$47,222
10 yrs after entry$55,177
Debt
Median at graduation$19,691
Monthly payment$209
Middle 50% owe$7.5k–$25k
90th percentile$31,000
Green marks a figure above the typical Master's (larger programs): 54% graduate within 6 yrs.
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
93%
Test policy
Test optional
SAT average
1122
R 520–650 · M 500–630
ACT midpoint
23
Comp 19–26 · E 18–25 · M 18–25
SAT middle 50%: 1020–1280
40080012001600
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 92.0% · women 93.2% 
Yield: 31.1% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts
How much essays count at University of Northern Iowa: Considered (one of four levels: very important · important · considered · not considered)
Source: University of Northern Iowa's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).

If University of Northern Iowa asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 39%Women 61%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
18 : 1
Pell grant
27%
First-gen
22%
Family income
$70,582
Independent
10%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
8%
Where first-years come from
In state (IA)
88.7%
Out of state
10.5%
International
0.8%

Most out-of-state first-years from: IL 52 · MN 40 · WI 22 · NE 9 · MO 8

Race & ethnicity
White
83%
Hispanic
6%
Black
3%
Asian
2%
Two or more
3%
Non-resident
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FCS
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$47,222
After 10 yrs
$55,177
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods413
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas144
Finance and Financial Management Services125
Business Administration, Management and Operations120
Psychology, General118
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods93
Social Work73
Biology, General71
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities68
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness64
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services53
Marketing52
Construction Management49
Design and Applied Arts46
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication43
Criminology38
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$224M
Full-time faculty
70%
Faculty salary
$8,542/mo
Teaching spend
$11,070
per student
Federal loans
46%
Classification
Carnegie type
Master's (larger programs)
Research activity
Research college or university
$4M research spending
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

Wondering if University of Northern Iowa is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
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