Cedar Falls, IA Overview
University of Northern Iowa is a public 4-year college located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. There are currently 7,571 undergraduates at UNI and the school’s acceptance rate is 95%. The tuition at UNI is $9,411 for in-state students and $20,565 for out-of-state.
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
7,571
Pell Grant 26%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 8%
Undergrad Students Over 25 7%
Percent Male / Female 38% / 62%
Ethnic Diversity at UNI
85% White
6% Hispanic
3% Black
3% Multiracial
2% Unknown
2% Asian / Pacific Islander
1% International / Non-Citizen
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
17:1
Graduation Rate
64%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Education
24%
24% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
23%
23% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
6%
6% of graduates
Psychology
5%
5% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
5%
5% of graduates
Social Sciences
5%
5% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
3%
3% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
3%
3% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Engineering
2%
2% of graduates
Mathematics
2%
2% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$21,988
$18,728
$14,414
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$21,988for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$33,142for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since UNI is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at UNI is $21,988 for in-state students in IA, and $33,142 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at UNI would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
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University of Northern Iowa Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at University of Northern Iowa need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for University of Northern Iowa is 001890.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Pell Grants at University of Northern Iowa
23% of students at University of Northern Iowa receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of Northern Iowa.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
UNI students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions Snapshot
95%
23
1045 is the median SAT score and 23 is the median ACT score for admitted students at UNI. A score that is close to this median value indicates that you have a good chance of admission to the institution. However, it’s important to remember that colleges judge applications holistically. If the rest of your application is strong, it’s possible to make up for lower test scores.
Is UNI test-optional?
University of Northern Iowa is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
What SAT/ACT score do you need to get into University of Northern Iowa?
Colleges use standardized tests like the SAT and ACT as one of many factors to determine their admissions decisions. A high score on one of these tests does not guarantee admission to a college, and a low score does not guarantee rejection. However, the majority of accepted applicants to University of Northern Iowa receive between a 20 and a 26 on their ACT, or a 935 and a 1265 on their SAT.
Rolling deadline at UNI
University of Northern Iowa accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check UNI's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$55,177
Median Debt $19,691
Debt 10 years after graduation $209
Graduation Rate 64%
What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Iowa?
64% of students who start at University of Northern Iowa end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 6% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of Northern Iowa go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at University of Northern Iowa, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $55,177. This is $4,786 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at UNI take out in loans?
Graduates of UNI have to take out a median of $19,691 in federal student loans. This is $6,191 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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