UIU Admission Requirements

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UIU Admission Overview

UIU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year UIU admitted 96.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.34 GPA (B+) and SAT 970-1160 / ACT 14-21. UIU 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

UIU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UIU Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

96.5%

Admission Standards

Extremely Easy

Applicant Competition

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The UIU acceptance rate is 96.5%. Last year, 436 of 452 applicants were admitted. That is the 27th lowest acceptance rate in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

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

UIU 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.

Upper Iowa University typically attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.34. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the lower half of their high school class. 34% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

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UIU GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.34

Typical High School Grades

B+

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.34

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UIU typically have around a 3.34 GPA (B+) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have above average high school grades. UIU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

21% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #23 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.3 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 Upper Iowa University freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	21.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	16.0%	Avg +
3.50 to 3.74	14.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	16.0%	Avg -
3.00 to 3.24	9.0%	Avg -
2.50 to 2.99	13.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	2.0%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	9.0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UIU SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

970-1160

Freshmen who sent SAT

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 500
Math 470
Composite 970

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 590
Math 570
Composite 1160

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UIU typically score around a 1070 SAT (middle 50% 970–1160) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 53rd percentile nationally. UIU ranks #16 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 970 to 1160

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

UIU 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 1070 SAT score range.

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

See my Chances for Admission

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 Upper Iowa University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1160+	Above 75th	>98%
1070 to 1160	Avg +	96%-98%
970 to 1070	Avg -	93%-96%
Below 970	Below mid-50	<93%

What do these figures mean?

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

UIU ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

14-21

Freshmen reporting ACT

13%

25th Percentile Scores

English 14
Math 14
Composite 14

75th Percentile Scores

English 21
Math 21
Composite 21

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UIU typically have around a 17 ACT (mid-50 14–21) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 31st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UIU places #25 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 14 to 21

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 17.0 ACT score range.

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

See my Chances for Admission

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 Upper Iowa University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
21+	Above 75th	>98%
17 to 21	Avg +	96%-98%
14 to 17	Avg -	93%-96%
Below 14	Below mid-50	<93%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

53% of Upper Iowa University freshman are in the lower half of their high school graduating class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Upper Iowa University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	2%
Top 25% of class	9%
Top 50% of class	47%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

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.

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Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Upper Iowa University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	192	258	452
Accepted	187	247	436
Acceptance Rate	97%	96%	96%
Enrolled	63	85	148
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	34%	34%	34%

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

Application Requirements

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

Upper Iowa University 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 required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
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 Upper Iowa University is $0. The school is free to apply to.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Upper Iowa University
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	Yes

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

Admission summary

UIU is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 96.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.34 GPA (about an B+ average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (970-1160); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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