University of Northern Iowa campus

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UNI Admission Requirements

  • 6/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Cedar Falls, IA
  • 3.5 4 reviews
#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa
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UNI Admission Overview

UNI admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UNI admitted 92.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.61 GPA (A-) and SAT 1020-1280 / ACT 19-26. UNI is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNI Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

92.7%

Admission Standards

Average

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of Northern Iowa

Acceptance Rate

The UNI acceptance rate is 92.7%. Last year, 4,971 of 5,360 applicants were admitted. That is the 25th lowest acceptance rate in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UNI and can you get accepted?

UNI is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

University of Northern Iowa typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.61. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 31% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNI GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.61

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.61

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UNI typically have around a 3.61 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. UNI is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

The school ranks #9 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of Northern Iowa freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 16.8% Good
3.75 to 3.99 33.7% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 18.98% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 9.7% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.5% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.4% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UNI SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1020-1280

Freshmen who sent SAT

2%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 520
  • Math 500
  • Composite 1020
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of Northern Iowa

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 650
  • Math 630
  • Composite 1280
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of Northern Iowa

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UNI typically score around a 1150 SAT (middle 50% 1020–1280) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 68th percentile nationally. UNI ranks #10 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1020 to 1280

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

UNI is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1150 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at University of Northern Iowa
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1280+ Above 75th >96%
1150 to 1280 Avg + 93%-96%
1020 to 1150 Avg - 87%-93%
Below 1020 Below mid-50 <87%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UNI ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

19-26

Freshmen reporting ACT

43%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 18
  • Math 18
  • Composite 19
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of Northern Iowa

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 25
  • Math 25
  • Composite 26
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of Northern Iowa

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UNI typically have around a 22 ACT (mid-50 19–26) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 63rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UNI places #16 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 19 to 26

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to UNI without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 22.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at University of Northern Iowa
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
26+ Above 75th >97%
22 to 26 Avg + 93%-97%
19 to 22 Avg - 88%-93%
Below 19 Below mid-50 <88%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the UNI chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of Northern Iowa admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,349 2,009 5,360
Accepted 3,122 1,848 4,971
Acceptance Rate 93% 92% 93%
Enrolled 991 555 1,546
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 32% 30% 31%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Northern Iowa and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Northern Iowa application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Northern Iowa is $40.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of Northern Iowa
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UNI is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 92.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.61 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1020-1280); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of Northern Iowa often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=154095.

GPA calculator: University of Northern Iowa GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026