University of Northern Iowa Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
University of Northern Iowa is a public research university in Cedar Falls, Iowa, serving roughly 7,529 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 92.74% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $55,177 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $9,936
- 2024 Average Net Price: $15,901 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 92.74% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 7,529 91.7% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 67.92%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 22.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 1.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 70.4%
- Average SAT Score: 1122
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 8,463
- Applicants (IPEDS): 4,913
- Room & Board: $9,986 annual estimate
University of Northern Iowa: what the data shows
Common questions about University of Northern Iowa, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is University of Northern Iowa?
University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (ZIP 50614-0005).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is University of Northern Iowa public or private?
University of Northern Iowa is a Public institution.
How much does University of Northern Iowa cost?
Published tuition: $9,936 in-state, $21,712 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $15,901.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $10,863 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,751 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $14,099 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,740 |
| $110,001+ | $18,706 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $39,744.
How hard is it to get into University of Northern Iowa?
Admission rate: 92.74%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1122 and midpoint ACT 23.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is University of Northern Iowa?
Total enrollment: 7,529 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 8,463 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,567 students.
About 92% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Iowa?
150%-time completion rate: 67.92%.
First-year retention: 81.7%.
What do graduates of University of Northern Iowa earn?
Median earnings: $47,222 six years after entry; $55,177 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,691.
27.39% of students receive Pell grants.
What is University of Northern Iowa known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Elementary Education and Teaching (293 completions)
- Social Work (126 completions)
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other (126 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (114 completions)
- Psychology, General (102 completions)
- Finance, General (81 completions)
- Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs (61 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (57 completions)
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, General (56 completions)
- Criminology (50 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is University of Northern Iowa a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 92.74%; completion rate 67.92%; median earnings $55,177 at 10 years; net price $15,901. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$9,936
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at University of Northern Iowa was $9,936.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$15,901
2024 Value
In 2024 University of Northern Iowa had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $15,901.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$63,604 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$15,901 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$39,744 4-Year In-State Tuition
$86,848 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,986 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$800 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$20,722 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$82,888 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for University of Northern Iowa.
Financial Aid by Income Level
27.39% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
46.39% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at University of Northern Iowa was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for University of Northern Iowa in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,685 | $17,181 | $15,207 |
| 2014 | $7,749 | $17,647 | $14,980 |
| 2015 | $7,817 | $18,005 | $15,961 |
| 2016 | $8,309 | $18,851 | $15,666 |
| 2017 | $8,699 | $19,241 | $16,496 |
| 2018 | $8,938 | $19,480 | $16,244 |
| 2019 | $8,938 | $21,222 | $15,620 |
| 2020 | $8,938 | $21,222 | $16,438 |
| 2021 | $9,053 | $19,753 | $14,017 |
| 2022 | $9,411 | $20,565 | $14,414 |
| 2023 | $9,728 | $21,272 | $14,609 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
92.74% Acceptance Rate
4,913 Total Applicants
4,638 Students Admitted
1,552 First-Time Students Enrolled
33.46% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1122
ACT Average: 23
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.0 - 3.4
Estimated Median GPA: 3.20
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
University of Northern Iowa reported total enrollment of about 7,529 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 39% male and 61% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (83.0%), Hispanic or Latino (6.2%), and Black or African American (3.4%). About 27.39% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 22.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
91.7% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at University of Northern Iowa in 2024 is 7,529 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 8,463 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,567 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
81.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 83.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
47.36% 100% Completion Time
67.92% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 47.36% of students graduating from University of Northern Iowa completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Elementary Education and Teaching: 9% male / 91% female
- Social Work: 6% male / 94% female
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 61% male / 39% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for University of Northern Iowa.
Return on Investment
$19,691 Median Student Debt
$55,177 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
35.69% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
767.51% Return on Investment
3.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for University of Northern Iowa.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 117 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Elementary Education and Teaching: 293 completions
2. Social Work: 126 completions
3. Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other: 126 completions
4. Business Administration and Management, General: 114 completions
5. Psychology, General: 102 completions
6. Finance, General: 81 completions
7. Education/Teaching of Individuals in Elementary Special Education Programs: 61 completions
8. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 57 completions
9. Communication Sciences and Disorders, General: 56 completions
Most popular programs at University of Northern Iowa.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for University of Northern Iowa graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for University of Northern Iowa from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 70.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $8,542
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $11,070
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, IA, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Elementary Education and Teaching, Social Work, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other. Enrollment is approximately 7,529 students. Student body composition includes White (83.0%), Hispanic or Latino (6.2%), Black or African American (3.4%). The admission rate is 92.74%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1122. The 150%-time completion rate is 67.92%. Approximately 27.39% of students receive Pell Grants. About 22.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0005
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 117 distinct degree programs, University of Northern Iowa provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of Northern Iowa located?
University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA.
What is University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at University of Northern Iowa is 92.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 4,913 applicants and 4,638 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does University of Northern Iowa cost?
Reported tuition is $9,936 and average net price is $15,901 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,986 annually.
What is the student body demographics at University of Northern Iowa?
University of Northern Iowa reports undergraduate enrollment of about 8,463 students, White (83.0%), Hispanic or Latino (6.2%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend University of Northern Iowa?
About 22.5% of students at University of Northern Iowa are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for University of Northern Iowa?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, University of Northern Iowa reports midpoint SAT about 1122 and midpoint ACT about 23.
What do graduates of University of Northern Iowa earn?
Median earnings are $47,222 six years after entry and $55,177 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Iowa?
The 150%-time completion rate is 67.9% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do University of Northern Iowa students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,691.
Is University of Northern Iowa public or private?
University of Northern Iowa is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, IA.
Is University of Northern Iowa an HBCU?
No. University of Northern Iowa is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is University of Northern Iowa a tribal college?
No. University of Northern Iowa is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Iowa college profile
- Iowa college costs
- Iowa colleges by ROI
- Iowa State University vs University of Iowa vs University of Northern Iowa
- Cedar Falls, Iowa city profile
- Plains regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Iowa
- Iowa college costs
- Iowa colleges by ROI
- Iowa State University vs University of Iowa vs University of Northern Iowa
- Cedar Falls, Iowa city profile
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Iowa
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.