Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Cedar Falls, Iowa |
| Online | uni.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Mid-size |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) occupies a 940-acre campus situated 90 miles northeast of Des Moines. The institution, which began as Iowa State Normal School in 1876, operates as a public university with a primary focus on teacher education and business programs, while also offering comprehensive liberal arts and sciences degrees. The campus features a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the Campanile landmark tower and the recently renovated Schindler Education Center. UNI maintains a moderately selective admission process and houses approximately half of its undergraduate students in on-campus residence halls, with many first-year students residing in traditional dormitory-style buildings. The university competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Panthers, participating in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
UNI is rated within the top 46% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 6 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for University of Northern Iowa within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#509 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#156 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#12 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#3 in Best Public Colleges in Iowa
#546 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#14 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 860/1210 |
| ACT | 20/26 |
| GPA | 3.61 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Iowa Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Other Fees | $1,332 |
| Room and Board | $9,648 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,550 |
| Total One Year Cost | $22,726 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $800 |
| Other Fees | $1,332 |
| Room and Board | $9,648 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,550 |
| Total One Year Cost | $34,270 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 22% |
| Education | 17% |
| Social Sciences | 8% |
| Communication | 6% |
| Biology | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering UNI are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=154095 IPEDS survey data for University of Northern Iowa.
Current students may use the University of Northern Iowa GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025