UnisHub University Compass

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings

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About University of Northern Iowa

A tree-filled brick campus with a bell tower that still brings people together, UNI blends a close-knit feel with practical academics. It's known for strong teaching, business, the sciences and the arts, with faculty who actually know students' names. Labs, studios and maker spaces sit beside a busy library and union. Support runs deep with advising, tutoring, wellness care and early career coaching.

Student life spans performances, service projects and intramurals, with river trails and rec spaces when you need a breather. The culture is welcoming and proud, the kind of place where people hold doors and show up. Feels good, honestly. Career prep leans on internships and regional partners, plus alumni who pick up the phone. Cedar Falls offers a walkable downtown, coffee, arts and real-world opportunities. Traditions stick, like a midnight bell tower moment and steady Panther pride. Notable alum: NFL quarterback Kurt Warner.

Key Institutional Details

Contact & Profile

Location
1227 W 27th St, Cedar Falls, Iowa, 50614, USA
Website
uni.edu
Unit ID
154095

Academic & Institutional

Control
Public institution (funded by state or local government)
Accreditation
HLC
Length of Study
Programs under 2 years (e.g. certificate or diploma)
Calendar System
Semester system (two main terms per year)
Award Levels
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (O)
Campus Setting
Located in a small city (population under 100,000)
Carnegie Classification
Master's - Large programs
Tuition & Fees
In-State
$9,728
Tuition $8,396 + Fee $1,332
Out-of-State
$21,272
Tuition $19,940 + Fee $1,332
Student Profile
Total Students 9,013
Undergraduate 7,599
Graduate/Other 1,414
Male: 3,237 Female: 5,776
Applications
Total Applicants 4,913
Admitted 4,638
Enrolled 1,552
Acceptance: 94.4% Yield: 33.5%
Staff
Total Staff 1,705
Full-time 1,388
Part-time 317
Full-time: 81.4% Part-time: 18.6%

Academic Programs & Fields of Study

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) offers 116 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 2,535 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Education (19 programs, 662 graduates), Business (14 programs, 539 graduates), Health (7 programs, 169 graduates), Public Services (3 programs, 147 graduates) and Psychology (5 programs, 129 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.

Education (19 programs, 662 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Elementary Education 293
Bachelor's
13.1202
Elementary Special Education Teaching 61
Bachelor's
13.1017
Early Childhood Education 39
Bachelor's
13.1210
Social Science Teacher Education 36
Bachelor's
13.1317
Educational Leadership and Administration 29
Master's
Doctorate (O)
13.0401
Middle School Education and Teaching 29
Bachelor's
13.1203
Art Education 27
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1302
English Language Arts Teacher Education 23
Bachelor's
13.1305
Music Teacher Education 20
Bachelor's
13.1312
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching 20
Bachelor's
13.1314
College Student Counseling and Personnel Services 17
Master's
Doctorate (O)
13.1102
English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching 17
Bachelor's
Master's
13.1401
Teacher Education and Professional Development 15
Master's
13.1299
Instructional Technology 12
Master's
13.0501
School Counseling and Guidance 9
Master's
13.1101
Foreign Language Teacher Education 8
Bachelor's
13.1306
Business and Innovation Entrepreneurship Teacher Education 3
Bachelor's
13.1303
Technology and Industrial Arts Teacher Education 3
Bachelor's
13.1309
Education, General 1
Bachelor's
13.9999
Business (14 programs, 539 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods 126
Bachelor's
Master's
52.1399
Business Administration and Management 114
Bachelor's
Master's
52.0201
Finance, General 81
Bachelor's
52.0801
Construction Management 36
Bachelor's
52.2001
Logistics and Supply Chain Management 35
Bachelor's
52.0203
Real Estate 34
Bachelor's
52.1501
Digital Marketing 30
Bachelor's
52.1404
Human Resources Management 18
Bachelor's
52.1001
Nonprofit and Organizational Management 17
Master's
52.0206
Financial Planning and Services 16
Bachelor's
52.0804
Sales and Marketing Operations 13
Bachelor's
52.1801
Investments and Securities 8
Bachelor's
52.0807
International Marketing 7
Bachelor's
52.1403
Organizational Leadership 4
Bachelor's
52.0213
Health (7 programs, 169 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Communication Sciences and Disorders 56
Bachelor's
51.0201
Speech-Language Pathology 50
Master's
51.0203
Athletic Training 29
Bachelor's
Master's
51.0913
Public Health Education and Promotion 21
Bachelor's
51.2207
Mental Health Counseling 8
Master's
51.1508
Health Professions and Related Sciences 4
Bachelor's
51.9999
Community Health and Preventive Medicine 1
Master's
51.2208
Public Services (3 programs, 147 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Social Work 126
Bachelor's
Master's
44.0701
Public Policy Analysis 11
Master's
44.0501
Public Administration 10
Bachelor's
44.0401
Psychology (5 programs, 129 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
General Psychology 102
Bachelor's
42.0101
School Psychology 11
Master's
42.2805
Educational Psychology 9
Master's
42.2806
Clinical Psychology 5
Master's
42.2801
Social Psychology 2
Master's
42.2707
Social Sciences (10 programs, 115 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Criminology 50
Bachelor's
45.0401
Sociology 16
Bachelor's
45.1101
Political Science and Government 14
Bachelor's
45.1001
Applied Economics 11
Bachelor's
45.0602
Geographic Information Science and Cartography 9
Bachelor's
Master's
45.0702
Anthropology 5
Bachelor's
45.0201
Geography 4
Bachelor's
45.0701
Economics 3
Bachelor's
45.0601
Political Science and Government 2
Bachelor's
45.1099
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics 1
Bachelor's
45.0603
Communication (4 programs, 105 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Speech Communication and Rhetoric 40
Bachelor's
Master's
09.0101
Public Relations and Image Management 24
Bachelor's
09.0902
Digital Media and Multimedia 23
Bachelor's
09.0702
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication 18
Bachelor's
09.0799
Arts (15 programs, 99 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Studio Arts, General 20
Bachelor's
50.0702
Interior Design 17
Bachelor's
50.0408
Graphic Design 13
Bachelor's
50.0409
Music Performance 12
Bachelor's
Master's
50.0903
Acting 11
Bachelor's
50.0506
Music 6
Bachelor's
50.0901
Theatre Design and Technology 5
Bachelor's
50.0502
Theatre Arts 3
Bachelor's
50.0501
Music Theory and Composition 3
Bachelor's
Master's
50.0904
Conducting 2
Master's
50.0906
Keyboard Instruments 2
Master's
50.0907
Jazz Studies 2
Bachelor's
Master's
50.0910
Art History and Conservation 1
Bachelor's
50.0703
Music History, Literature, and Theory 1
Master's
50.0902
Music Technology 1
Bachelor's
50.0913
Biological Sciences (4 programs, 85 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Biology and Biological Sciences 46
Bachelor's
Master's
26.0101
Biomedical Sciences 15
Bachelor's
26.0102
Ecology 15
Bachelor's
26.1301
Biochemistry 9
Bachelor's
26.0202
Kinesiology (4 programs, 84 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
Program Name Graduates Gender Distribution Award Levels CIP Code
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education 48
Bachelor's
31.0501
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies 24
Bachelor's
Master's
31.0101
Exercise Science and Kinesiology 11
Master's
31.0505
Sport and Fitness Management 1
Bachelor's
31.0504

Admission Requirements & Test Scores

Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of Northern Iowa (UNI).

Application Requirements

Secondary School GPA
Required
Secondary School Rank
Neither required nor recommended
Secondary School Record
Required
College Preparatory Program
Required
Recommendations
Neither required nor recommended
Formal Demonstration of Competencies
Neither required nor recommended
English Proficiency Test (TOEFL)
Neither required nor recommended
Personal Statement or Essay
Neither required nor recommended
Standardized Test Scores
SAT Scores
The SAT is a standardized college admission test measuring reading, writing, and math skills. Scores range from 400-1600 (combined Evidence-Based Reading & Writing + Math sections).
Composite Score Range
860 - 1210
25th-75th percentile
Evidence-Based Reading & Writing 460 - 580
Median: 550
Math 400 - 630
Median: 580
ACT Scores
The ACT is a standardized test for college admissions assessing English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Scores range from 1-36 (composite of all sections).
Composite Score Range
20 - 26
25th-75th percentile
English 18 - 25
Median: 21
Math 18 - 25
Median: 21

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.

Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs

Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students

Estimated Total Cost
(In-state)
$22,726
Estimated Total Cost
(Out-state)
$34,270
In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$9,728
Tuition and fees for students residing in-state
Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$21,272
Tuition and fees for non-resident students
Room & Board
$9,648
Housing and meal plan expenses
Books & Supplies
$800
Average yearly cost of books and study materials
Other Expenses
$2,550 (on) / $2,500 (off)
Miscellaneous personal and institutional expenses
Other Expenses (with family)
$2,500
Estimated cost for students living with family
Graduate In-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$11,362
Graduate tuition rates for in-state students
Graduate Out-of-state Tuition (incl. fees)
$22,834
Graduate tuition rates for non-resident students

Financial Aid & Student Support

Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students

18%
FTFT Aid Recipients
Avg. Grant
$5,325
Avg. Loan
$6,694
Avg. Federal Loan
$5,263
Additional
Students with Any Grant
1,060
Students who received any type of grant aid
Students with Any Loan
639
Students who received any type of loan-based aid
Students with Federal Grant
297
Students who received a federal grant
Avg. Institutional Grant
$3,843
Average amount of institutional grant awarded

Student Success Metrics

Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.

69%
Graduation Rate
Percentage of students who successfully graduate from the institution
85%
First-Year Retention Rate
Percentage of first-year students who continue for a second year
Median Earnings Over Time
$40,595 – $72,594
Salary Range (25th–75th Percentile, 10 Years)
$40,595 (25th %) $72,594 (75th %)
*Median Salary After 10 Years: $55,177
Median Salary After 6 Years
$47,222
Average annual earnings of former students six years after starting college.
Median Salary After 10 Years
$55,177
Average annual earnings of former students ten years after starting college.

Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes

Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.

3-Year Loan Repayment Rate
72.8%
Share of borrowers who repaid loans within 3 years
Repayment Rate (Graduates Only)
81.4%
Repayment rate among students who completed their program
Median Student Loan Debt
$19,691
Median federal loan debt of undergraduate completers at time of graduation.
Repayment by Income
Low 58.4%
Middle 75.5%
High 78.1%
Repayment by Dependency
Dependent 75.3%
Independent 55.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to the most common questions about University of Northern Iowa (UNI)

How much does it cost to attend University of Northern Iowa (UNI)?

The annual tuition at University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is $9,728 for in-state students and $21,272 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $22,726 for in-state students and $34,270 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $9,648 and books and supplies $800.

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.

What academic programs and degree levels does University of Northern Iowa offer?

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) offers 116 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate (Other).

Most popular program areas include:

  • Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (19 programs)
  • Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (14 programs)
  • Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (7 programs)
  • Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services (3 programs)
  • Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies (5 programs)

Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.

What is the acceptance rate for University of Northern Iowa?

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) has an 94.4% acceptance rate and a 33.5% yield rate, making it moderately selective.

Admission statistics breakdown:

  • Total applicants: 4,913
  • Students admitted: 4,638
  • Students enrolled: 1,552

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.

What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of Northern Iowa?

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) provides financial aid to 18% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,325 and average loans of $6,694.

Average financial aid amounts by type:

  • Pell grants: $4,893
  • State/Local grants: $5,382
  • Institutional grants: $3,843
  • Federal loans: $5,263

The university supports 1,060 students with grants and 639 students with loans annually.

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.

What is the average salary for University of Northern Iowa graduates?

University of Northern Iowa (UNI) graduates earn a median salary of $47,222 after 6 years and $55,177 after 10 years.

The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $40,595 (25th percentile) to $72,594 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $74,100 (90th percentile).

Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.

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