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Cedar Falls , IA
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a public university located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Founded in 1876, UNI has a long-standing history of academic excellence and is renowned for its strong emphasis on teaching and learning. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including business, education, humanities, and social sciences.
UNI is known for its commitment to providing a high-quality education through its student-centered approach. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, small class sizes allow for personalized attention and a collaborative learning environment. The university prides itself on its engaged and caring faculty who are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals and develop essential skills for their careers.
Apart from academics, UNI offers a vibrant campus life with a plethora of extracurricular activities and organizations for students to explore and succeed in. These include over 250 student organizations, club sports, intramural programs, and a wide range of cultural and artistic events. The beautiful campus features state-of-the-art facilities, modern residence halls, and a variety of dining options, ensuring a welcoming and comfortable environment for students.
Overall, the University of Northern Iowa is a distinguished institution that provides an exceptional educational experience, fosters personal growth, and prepares students for successful careers. With its strong academic programs, supportive faculty, and vibrant campus life, UNI offers a well-rounded university experience that prepares graduates to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
University of Northern Iowa is a public university located in Cedar Falls, IA and set in a suburban environment. This school follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 87%. The freshman retention rate at University of Northern Iowa is 81.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 68%.
To find out more about what University of Northern Iowa has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
7,716
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
68%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Learning as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. How difficult is it to get admitted to University of Northern Iowa and what are the admission requirements?
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 4,888 in 2025. University of Northern Iowa has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the candidates who choose to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of students who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 1% and ACT scores 43.3%. 6% of the first-year students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 36% between 1,200 and 1,399, 48% between 1,000 and 1,199, 16% between 800 and 999, and 6% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of incoming freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 6, 28 between 24-29, 51 in the range between 18-23, and 15 between 12-17.
The average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 22 and the average GPA was 3.53. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance, and the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 596 for the admitted students, while the average SAT Math score was 582.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, don't forget to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2025, the freshman retention rate for University of Northern Iowa was 81.7%, reflecting the superb quality of the educational programs at this institution.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 68%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better understanding of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of Northern Iowa in 2025 was 9,283.
That year, the institution had 8% of students coming from another state. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 7,716, 71 of which were foreign students. The school admitted a total of 778 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 2,825 male and 4,556 female full-time students in 2025. 109 full-time graduate men and 290 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of student diversity. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Northern Iowa.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of Asian students was 111, and the number of Black American students was 201. 375 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 171 identified with more than one race. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 10 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 84 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to think about before you apply. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $8,792, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $20,950 in 2025. Tuition costs at University of Northern Iowa for international students came to $20,950. Fees per academic year required of full-time students came to a total of $1,409 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $20,950 | $1,409 | $22,359 |
| In-State | $8,792 | $1,409 | $10,201 |
Books and Supplies
The approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into account as another significant financial element. The estimated cost of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $800.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for accommodation and meals?
In 2025, room and board cost at University of Northern Iowa amounted to $10,288 a year. If you only needed a dorm room, it cost $5,314 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 8,792 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,288 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 19,880 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of Northern Iowa, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
According to the most recent data, 824 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $10,555 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet some eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 2,279 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 4,102. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution totaled $14,496,366, and state $3,935,912. The students of University of Northern Iowa received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $12,349,471, and external in the amount of $2,473,390.
$4,569
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 2,903 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Northern Iowa in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 740 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $14,496,366 while the state aid is $567,289. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $4,902,712. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $1,091,370 USD.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of Northern Iowa was 18:1: that means 18 students per one teacher. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 565. This number included 255 men and 310 women. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at University of Northern Iowa.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of Northern Iowa: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at University of Northern Iowa.
Its campus spans 916 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 237. This number includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 3% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 3 for female students. The most popular student organization is Accounting Club, followed by Dance Marathon and National Society of collegiate Scholars. Other popular student organizations at this school are Panther eSports and St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center.
Those interested in music can join the University of Northern Iowa band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for media and communication? University of Northern Iowa publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Northern Iowa offers a number of services important for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a 24-hour security patrol. The late-night transport/escort service is available.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of Northern Iowa.
All in all, campus life at University of Northern Iowa is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Northern Iowa.
Career Counselling
At University of Northern Iowa, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Having an understanding of the anticipated earnings after completing your education can be important in evaluating if a certain institution is compatible with your professional goals.
Students who find employment within six months of graduating can expect an average base annual starting salary of 52,760 USD.
$52,760
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of Northern Iowa is 87%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Northern Iowa is 81.7%.
Contact Information
University of Northern Iowa
1227 West 27th Street
Cedar Falls , IA
50614-0005
319 273-2311
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.