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University of Northern Iowa

#655 in US ranking Cedar Falls, IA
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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University of Northern Iowa award

Cost

Cost / year
$22,977
Tuition & fees
$10,201
Avg. aid
$7,415
Receiving aid
84%

Admissions

Acceptance rate
93%
SAT range
1020–1280
ACT range
19–26

Outcomes

Graduation rate
68%
Median salary
$45,851
1 yr after graduation

What does University of Northern Iowa offer in terms of athletics?

UNI's Panthers compete in NCAA Division I athletics. Most varsity teams compete in the Missouri Valley Conference; football competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference, and wrestling competes in the Big 12 Conference. The UNI-Dome and McLeod Center are among the campus venues associated with Panther sports.

Varsity offerings include sports such as football, basketball, volleyball, softball, track and field, and wrestling. Varsity rosters involve team selection, training and conference competition; they are not the same as an open student activity. Students who want to participate without joining a varsity team can investigate club sports, intramural leagues and campus recreation. Availability varies by sport and term, so a name appearing on a general sports list does not mean UNI fields an NCAA team in that activity. Athletic scholarships, where offered, have recruiting and eligibility rules separate from ordinary admission.

What student groups and Associations are available at University of Northern Iowa?

UNI students can participate in organizations centered on academic interests, service, identity, recreation, faith and the arts. Student government and recognized clubs provide ways to organize events and meet peers beyond the classroom; an organization's current recognition and activity should be confirmed through the university's student-organization directory.

Examples associated with UNI include the Accounting Club, Panther eSports and UNI Dance Marathon. St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center offers a faith-based community near campus; it should not be mistaken for a university-wide religious affiliation. Students interested in performance can also look for music and theater groups, while those interested in journalism or broadcasting can investigate student media. A recognized organization, an academic department's ensemble and an independently operated community group may have different membership and funding arrangements.

Who studies at University of Northern Iowa?

UNI reported total enrollment of 9,278 students. Its reported entering group included 1,546 first-time degree-seeking undergraduates and 762 transfer-in students, illustrating that transfer applicants form a meaningful part of the new-student population.

In the reported geographic distribution, about 89% of students were Iowa residents, about 10% came from other U.S. states and about 1% came from other countries. The university therefore draws heavily from its home state while also enrolling students from elsewhere. Enrollment includes students beyond traditional college age, although the largest reported age groups were students in their late teens and early twenties.

Reported race and ethnicity figures include 6,243 White students, 502 Hispanic or Latino students and 263 Black or African American students. Such categories describe enrollment in a particular reporting collection; they do not tell a prospective student what every classroom or organization will look like. Applicants seeking a sense of their likely peer group should consider the university-wide figures alongside the size and composition of their intended program.

How does student life look like at University of Northern Iowa?

Everyday life at UNI reflects both its residential campus and its substantial commuter population. About 42% of students were reported as living on campus, while 57% commuted. That mix makes the timing of classes, jobs and activities relevant: a student who leaves after lectures may encounter campus differently from one who lives in a residence hall.

Welcome activities and orientation offer new students an introduction to campus services. During the academic year, Maucker Union and other gathering spaces host student activities, while the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center adds performances and cultural programming. UNI also reports a student health clinic and personal or psychological counseling services. Students can use recreation facilities and wellness resources independently of varsity athletics. The practical question for a prospective student is not simply how many activities exist, but whether their schedule and interests make it feasible to join them.

What libraries are available to students at University of Northern Iowa?

Rod Library is UNI's main academic library. Students can use it for research assistance, course materials and individual or group study, including reservable study rooms. Library services extend beyond the building through electronic journals, databases and other online research tools.

The library also supports research through specialized collections and interlibrary loan, which can help students obtain material not held locally. Access to licensed digital resources generally depends on a current university login, while loan rules vary by item and borrower. Students who expect to study late should check current building hours: a report that study rooms can be reserved does not mean the library provides a 24-hour study area. Research librarians can be particularly useful when a course requires scholarly sources rather than general web results.

University of Northern Iowa Student Life for 2027

Total enrollment

9278

Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen

1537

Member of Athletic Associations

NCAA

Total staff

404 full time, 161 part time

Veterans affair office

Yes

University of Northern Iowa Student Body

Undergraduate vs. graduate students

Undergraduate: 7,711
Graduate: 1,567

Full-time vs. part-time students

Full-time: 7,382
Part-time: 1,896

Full-time degree-seeking students by gender

Women: 988
Men: 549

Students by race/ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino: 502
Black or African American: 263
White: 6,243
American Indian or Alaska Native: 13
Asian: 108
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 7
Two or more races: 238
Unknown: 64

Freshly enrolled students' age

Under 25 years
Over 25 years

University of Northern Iowa Sports & Athletics

  • Member of NCAA

Varsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).

Sport

Varsity Intramural Aid

Archery

–Both–

Badminton

–Both–

Baseball

–Men–

Basketball

BothBothBoth

Bowling

–Both–

Cheerleading

–Both–

Cross-country running

BothBothBoth

Fencing

–Both–

Football

MenMenMen

Golf

BothBothBoth

Ice hockey

–Men–

Racquetball

–Both–

Rock climbing

–Both–

Rugby

–Both–

Skiing (downhill)

–Both–

Soccer

WomenWomenWomen

Softball

WomenWomenWomen

Swimming and diving

WomenWomenWomen

Table tennis

–Both–

Tennis

WomenWomenWomen

Track and field

BothBothBoth

Ultimate Frisbee

–Both–

Volleyball

WomenWomenWomen

Weight lifting

–Both–

Wrestling

MenMenMen

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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