UNI Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 92.74%. Not very selective
- SAT Average: 1170. Average SAT scores, indicating a moderately competitive applicant pool.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $9,936
- Out-of-State Tuition: $21,712
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at UNI:
- Total Enrollment: 9,278, including 1,482 online students
- 7,711 Undergraduate, 1,567 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 36.4% men, 63.6% women.
- This is a medium-sized institution, offering diverse programs and student activities.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 68%. Moderate graduation rate, typical for many institutions.
- Transfer-Out Rate: 22%. Some students transfer out, which is common in higher education.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 82%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 170 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 21 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 64 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
UNI Overview
University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a four-year, public school located in Cedar Falls, IA. University of Northern Iowa was newly reclassified as an Research College/University (Master's College and University (larger programs)) in 2025 due to changes in its research activities and doctoral program offerings.
The UNI's tuition & fees is $9,936 for Iowa residents and $21,712 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 69% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $7,415.
The school has a total enrollment of 9,278 and the students to faculty ratio is 18 to 1 (5.56%).
UNI's acceptance rate is 92.74% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 31.10%. The median SAT score is 1170 and the ACT score is 22.
UNI ranked 14th in Iowa Colleges rankings. University of Northern Iowa is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of University of Northern Iowa is $9,936 for in-state students and $21,712 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $11,602 for in-state students and $23,304 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $10,148 for Iowa residents and $22,161 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $11,847 for Iowa residents and $23,784 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $9,936 | $21,712 |
|---|
| Graduate | $11,602 | $23,304 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $10,148 | $22,161 |
|---|
| Graduate | $11,847 | $23,784 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
University of Northern Iowa offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at UNI
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | No |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
University of Northern Iowa Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing UNI