University of Northern Iowa

What are the graduation rates for students at University of Northern Iowa?

The University of Northern Iowa demonstrates strong overall graduation performance, with a graduation rate of 69%, placing it within the top 30% of comparable institutions. This indicates a relatively high success rate in students completing their programs compared to many other universities.

Examining gender differences, female students tend to graduate at a higher rate of 72%, while male students graduate at a rate of 64%. Both rates are considered high and reflect positively on the university's ability to support diverse student populations.

Additional insights into degree completion timelines reveal that 45% of students graduate within four years, a figure categorized as average and near the midpoint among peer institutions. More notably, the six-year graduation rate rises to 69%, again placing the university in the top 30% and demonstrating a solid proportion of students completing their degrees within a reasonable timeframe.

The university also maintains a retention rate of 85%, ranked in the top 25%, indicating that most students return after their first year. This retention rate underscores the institution's capacity to engage and support students through the early, often challenging, semesters of college.

What is the earning potential for graduates at University of Northern Iowa?

Graduates of University of Northern Iowa experience a wide range of earning potentials depending on their chosen fields of study. Those with degrees in industrial production technologies and technicians stand out, earning an average of $60,668, which is among the highest reported. Similarly, students pursuing construction management can expect strong earnings, averaging $64,521, reflecting robust demand in that sector.

Computer science graduates fare well, with average earnings around $56,120, placing them in a lucrative position compared to many other disciplines. Related fields such as management information systems and services, finance, and accounting offer competitive salaries in the $52,000 to $54,000 range, providing solid financial prospects for business-oriented students.

Students earning degrees in gerontology report earnings near $56,361, indicating promising opportunities in the health and social services sector. Economics graduates also earn well, averaging $54,358, while real estate majors earn about $51,372. Marketing and business administration graduates see respectable salaries averaging $47,222 and $48,934, respectively.

Among the education-related programs, graduates have average earnings generally ranging from approximately $35,700 to $39,700. For instance, those specializing in teacher education and professional development in specific subject areas earn about $39,744, while their counterparts focusing on general professional development earn around $38,627. Majors in teaching English or French as a second language earn slightly less, close to $35,795.

Liberal arts and sciences fields, as well as humanities, typically yield earnings in the $29,000 to $35,000 range. For example, English language and literature general majors average $34,672, and communication and media studies graduates earn near $35,882. Criminology majors report earnings of $34,892, while geography and cartography graduates earn about $42,929, a comparatively strong figure within the social sciences.

Degrees in communication-focused areas show varied returns. Public relations, advertising, and applied communication graduates average $37,176, and graphic communications majors make roughly $33,933. Radio, television, and digital communication graduates have earnings averaging $32,558.

More specialized fields in health and human services present diverse outcomes. Social work graduates earn around $31,930, while graduates in human development, family studies, and related services report earnings close to $30,128. Parks, recreation, and leisure studies graduates have average earnings near $32,498, and health professions and related clinical sciences stand at about $34,089.

Some of the lower-reported earnings are seen in communication disorders sciences and services, where graduates earn approximately $8,800, reflecting entry-level or specialized niches that may require further education or certification for advancement.