University of Northern Iowa
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Cedar Falls, Iowa
Net price / year
$15,901
after grants & scholarships
higher than 68% of public 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
93%
Graduation rate
68%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 86% of public 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$54,830
4 years after graduating
lower than 66% of public 4-year colleges
University of Northern Iowa at a glance
- What is the tuition at University of Northern Iowa?
- In-state undergraduate tuition and fees are $9,936 for the 2024-25 academic year, or $21,712 for out-of-state students.
- What is the cost of attendance at University of Northern Iowa?
- The average cost of attendance is $22,278 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at University of Northern Iowa?
- The average net price for in-state students is $15,901 a year after grants and scholarships (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at University of Northern Iowa?
- About 93% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at University of Northern Iowa?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1020–1280 and an ACT composite of 19–26 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at University of Northern Iowa?
- 68% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of University of Northern Iowa earn?
- The median graduate earns $54,830 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 3.6 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- 68% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 86% of public 4-year colleges.
- Families earning under $30,000 pay about $10,863 a year on average, versus $18,706 for families earning over $110,000.
- Pell Grant recipients completed within 150% of normal time at a rate of 58%, compared with 68% for all students, a gap of 10 points.
- Education is the largest field of study here, at 25% of the degrees and certificates awarded.
Tuition and cost of attendance at University of Northern Iowa
Average net price (in-state)
$15,901 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the University of Northern Iowa net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$63,604
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $10,863
- $30–48k $11,751
- $48–75k $14,099
- $75–110k $17,740
- $110k+ $18,706
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $22,278
- Tuition & fees$9,936
- Books & supplies$800
- Room & board$9,986
- Other expenses$2,650
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $9,936
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $21,712
University of Northern Iowa acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from University of Northern Iowa
Graduation rate
68%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
83%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$209
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
3.6 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.4×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 4.6%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 68%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $40,595 · median $55,177 · 75th percentile $72,594
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 4,660 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 10%
- Making progress 13%
- Not making progress 11%
- Delinquent 2%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 53%
- Deferment 11%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
4,660 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at University of Northern Iowa ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 71 | $89,305 | 1 yr$65,9604 yrs$89,3055 yrs$97,609 | U.S. median $107,009 U.S. middle half $74.8K–$152K · Below the U.S. median | $22,770 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians Bachelor's · Graduates: 82 | $87,580 | 1 yr$69,1224 yrs$87,5805 yrs$84,528 | U.S. median $80,890 U.S. middle half $61.2K–$99.3K · Above the U.S. median | $19,829 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample | $85,688 | 1 yr$68,6984 yrs$85,6885 yrs$83,917 | U.S. median $95,124 U.S. middle half $77.1K–$115.2K · Below the U.S. median | $18,000 |
| Real Estate Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $83,592 | 1 yr$56,8664 yrs$83,5925 yrs$69,867 | U.S. median $84,821 U.S. middle half $55.6K–$120.7K · Below the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 91 | $82,641 | 1 yr$61,0884 yrs$82,6415 yrs$81,462 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median | $18,750 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 125 | $81,172 | 1 yr$52,7594 yrs$81,1725 yrs$71,845 | U.S. median $83,343 U.S. middle half $60.8K–$111.5K · Below the U.S. median | $18,770 |
| Management Information Systems and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 54 | $76,329 | 1 yr$58,1974 yrs$76,3295 yrs$89,797 | U.S. median $83,290 U.S. middle half $58.8K–$111.6K · Below the U.S. median | $22,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 192 | $74,838 | 1 yr$51,6904 yrs$74,8385 yrs$70,623 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $17,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 122 | $72,757 | 1 yr$48,9904 yrs$72,7575 yrs$67,282 | U.S. median $69,303 U.S. middle half $49.7K–$93.2K · Above the U.S. median | $16,661 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 25 Small sample | $71,905 | 1 yr$49,3144 yrs$71,9055 yrs$76,060 | U.S. median $82,686 U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Below the U.S. median | $17,169 |
Show all 41 programs
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Bachelor's · Graduates: 44 | $64,067 | 1 yr$43,7554 yrs$64,0675 yrs$57,636 | U.S. median $63,560 U.S. middle half $45.9K–$83.7K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Gerontology Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $63,876 | — | U.S. median $54,051 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$71.8K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 66 | $62,391 | 1 yr$36,2864 yrs$62,3915 yrs$59,773 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $20,720 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 72 | $60,509 | 1 yr$10,7464 yrs$60,5095 yrs$61,505 | U.S. median $58,928 U.S. middle half $45K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $17,537 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $58,307 | 1 yr$38,8774 yrs$58,3075 yrs$55,244 | U.S. median $65,093 U.S. middle half $47.2K–$86.7K · Below the U.S. median | $20,082 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 87 | $54,993 | 1 yr$43,9144 yrs$54,9935 yrs$54,690 | U.S. median $55,556 U.S. middle half $41K–$73.1K · Below the U.S. median | $20,278 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $54,965 | 1 yr$34,7024 yrs$54,9655 yrs$52,414 | U.S. median $55,000 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Bachelor's · Graduates: 102 | $54,629 | 1 yr$32,7094 yrs$54,6295 yrs$52,215 | U.S. median $54,562 U.S. middle half $39K–$73K · Above the U.S. median | $18,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 116 | $53,829 | 1 yr$32,6734 yrs$53,8295 yrs$48,150 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 88 | $53,506 | 1 yr$40,5584 yrs$53,5065 yrs$52,777 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Below the U.S. median | $16,562 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $53,198 | 1 yr$41,2504 yrs$53,1985 yrs$50,306 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $20,625 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 47 | $52,202 | 1 yr$39,0454 yrs$52,2025 yrs$47,446 | U.S. median $68,245 U.S. middle half $48K–$89.1K · Below the U.S. median | $20,625 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 88 | $51,712 | 1 yr$40,0094 yrs$51,7125 yrs$39,695 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Below the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 99 | $50,629 | 1 yr$37,2574 yrs$50,6295 yrs$46,416 | U.S. median $51,790 U.S. middle half $39.2K–$64.2K · Below the U.S. median | $15,388 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 27 Small sample | $50,277 | 1 yr$37,8754 yrs$50,2775 yrs$54,202 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Below the U.S. median | $24,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Bachelor's · Graduates: 94 | $50,144 | 1 yr$43,6024 yrs$50,1445 yrs$47,443 | U.S. median $51,389 U.S. middle half $40.5K–$63.1K · Below the U.S. median | $22,500 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Bachelor's · Graduates: 67 | $49,794 | 1 yr$36,3244 yrs$49,7945 yrs$49,552 | U.S. median $50,497 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$70.1K · Below the U.S. median | $18,625 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 43 | $49,313 | 1 yr$27,5694 yrs$49,3135 yrs$50,182 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Below the U.S. median | $19,900 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 81 | $48,506 | 1 yr$37,2334 yrs$48,5065 yrs$48,941 | U.S. median $50,983 U.S. middle half $37.1K–$67.2K · Below the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 36 | $47,736 | 1 yr$38,6374 yrs$47,7365 yrs$50,416 | U.S. median $51,490 U.S. middle half $33K–$70.6K · Below the U.S. median | $21,965 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 29 Small sample | $47,105 | 4 yrs$47,1055 yrs$44,845 | U.S. median $70,786 U.S. middle half $50.9K–$95.9K · Below the U.S. median | $20,500 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $46,986 | 4 yrs$46,9865 yrs$47,197 | U.S. median $60,190 U.S. middle half $44.3K–$77.6K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $46,780 | — | U.S. median $55,012 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 71 | $46,343 | 1 yr$41,8704 yrs$46,3435 yrs$47,249 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Below the U.S. median | $21,668 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Bachelor's · Graduates: 307 | $45,885 | 1 yr$42,7904 yrs$45,8855 yrs$46,217 | U.S. median $47,382 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$56.1K · Below the U.S. median | $23,200 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 32 | $44,407 | 1 yr$42,7294 yrs$44,4075 yrs$52,184 | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Below the U.S. median | $17,692 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $44,066 | 1 yr$36,4194 yrs$44,0665 yrs$49,336 | U.S. median $43,283 U.S. middle half $27.2K–$64.3K · Above the U.S. median | $19,184 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 67 | $41,053 | 1 yr$32,6144 yrs$41,0535 yrs$43,850 | U.S. median $48,568 U.S. middle half $35.1K–$62.7K · Below the U.S. median | $20,700 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $40,288 | 1 yr$24,0954 yrs$40,2885 yrs$40,846 | U.S. median $41,367 U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Below the U.S. median | $22,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 21 Small sample | $39,816 | 1 yr$22,2894 yrs$39,8165 yrs$41,807 | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Above the U.S. median | $21,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 17 Small sample | $34,102 | — | U.S. median $46,676 U.S. middle half $32.1K–$63.9K · Below the U.S. median | — |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 83%
- Black or African American 3.4%
- Hispanic or Latino 6.2%
- Asian 1.7%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.2%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.1%
- Two or more races 2.9%
- U.S. nonresident 1.2%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 1.3%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 38.7%
- Women 61.3%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
9%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 7,529
- Part-time students
- 8%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 27%
- Receive federal loans
- 46%
- Students per faculty member
- 18 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Guides worth reading
Plain-language explainers that help you read the numbers on this page.
More in Iowa
Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at University of Northern Iowa?
For the 2024-25 academic year, University of Northern Iowa reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $9,936 for in-state students and $21,712 for out-of-state students. These are published prices before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at University of Northern Iowa?
The average cost of attendance at University of Northern Iowa is $22,278 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $15,901 a year. That is around the middle of public 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at University of Northern Iowa get?
27% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 46% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $10,863 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $18,706 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at University of Northern Iowa?
University of Northern Iowa admitted about 93% of applicants in fall 2024. That means most applicants are admitted.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of Northern Iowa?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1020–1280 and an ACT composite of 19–26 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at University of Northern Iowa?
68% of first-time, full-time students at University of Northern Iowa finish within 150% of normal time. 83% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do University of Northern Iowa graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $54,830 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $43,293.
Is University of Northern Iowa worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For University of Northern Iowa, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 3.6 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $19,691, about 0.4 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 68% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things