University of Northern Iowa — College Profile

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, 2026-27

University of Northern Iowa’s own figures for 2026-27, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.

Tuition$21,578

Fees$1,451

Books & supplies$800

Personal expenses$1,920

Transportation$818

Total published by the school$33,675

Source: admissions.uni.edu · checked Sep 13, 2026

Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24

$0–30k

$10,863

$30–48k

$11,751

$48–75k

$14,099

$75–110k

$17,740

$110k+

$18,706

Your family's actual price → University of Northern Iowa net price calculator

Source: U.S. College Scorecard

Merit aid · 2025-26

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%

Entered 2017–18

Within 4 yrs

47%

Back for yr 2

82%

Transferred

21%

8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students

68% graduated · 23% transferred · 9% left or unknown · none still enrolled

Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021

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 · applied for fall 2024

Admit rate

93%

Test policy

Test optional

Per College Scorecard

SAT average

1122

R 520–650 · M 500–630

ACT midpoint

Comp 19–26 · E 18–25 · M 18–25

SAT middle 50%: 1020–1280

40080012001600

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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 for 2025-26 — 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

Race & ethnicity

White

83%

Hispanic

Black

Asian

Two or more

Non-resident

Unknown

Varsity sports

NCAA Division I-FCS · EADA 2024-25

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 · measured 2020 & 2021

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