University of Northern Iowa combines 94.4% acceptance with SAT scores in the top 10% nationally, delivering above-average mobility outcomes at the 84.3rd percentile. Strong affordability performance reflects controlled costs and moderate debt levels, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates across diverse economic backgrounds.
Above average value relative to educational investment despite modest earnings beyond expectations
With well above average performance, driven by controlled net costs and moderate debt levels relative to peer institutions
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
The university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement for students from diverse backgrounds
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Northern Iowa delivers solid return on investment through a combination of moderate earnings outcomes and exceptional affordability. Graduates earn a median of $55,177 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 57th percentile nationally and $5,061 above the peer median of $50,116.
While earnings fall $4,091 below expectations compared to similar student demographics, this modest gap is offset by strong cost management. Earnings range from $40,595 at the 25th percentile to $72,594 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career paths across the university's program portfolio.
Students seeking affordable education with solid post-graduation outcomes, particularly those interested in business, education, or technology programs. Well-suited for students who prefer a medium-sized public university with accessible admission (94.4% acceptance rate) but strong academic standards, evidenced by SAT scores in the top 10% nationally.
The university serves as an Opportunity Builder, combining moderate access with above-average outcomes for economic advancement.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
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This is the University Of Northern Iowa hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-northern-iowa/analysis.
Opportunity Builder with accessible admission
University of Northern Iowa ranks #428 nationally in Azimuth's comprehensive analysis, with mobility performance at the 84.3rd percentile reflecting well above average outcomes. Located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, this medium-sized public university maintains highly accessible admission standards with a 94.4% acceptance rate while delivering strong post-graduation value.
The institution enrolls 23.8% Pell-eligible students and 22.5% first-generation students, positioning it as moderately accessible to diverse economic backgrounds. Despite open admission policies, UNI maintains rigorous academic standards with SAT scores ranging from 860 to 1,210, ranking in the top 10% nationally for admitted student quality.
Graduates earn $55,177 ten years after enrollment, ranking above average at the 57th percentile nationally. While earnings fall modestly below expectations by $4,091, the university's strong affordability profile and controlled debt levels create favorable conditions for long-term financial stability.
This combination places UNI within the Opportunity Builder quadrant, where institutions provide accessible education pathways with solid economic outcomes.
University of Northern Iowa admits 94.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 19 out of 20 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places UNI in the Open Access category, indicating highly accessible admission for students meeting basic qualifications.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% shows UNI is more accessible than typical four-year institutions, admitting nearly 10 percentage points more of its applicant pool. This open access approach aligns with UNI's mission as a public university serving Iowa residents and regional students seeking quality higher education.
Despite the high acceptance rate, UNI maintains meaningful academic standards through its admitted student profile rather than through restrictive admission quotas. The university's accessible admission policy means that students with a range of academic backgrounds can gain entry, though success depends on academic preparation and program choice.
For prospective students, UNI represents a viable option for those seeking a four-year degree with reasonable admission odds. Students should focus on academic preparation and program fit rather than admission strategy, as meeting basic requirements typically results in acceptance.
This accessibility makes UNI particularly attractive for first-generation college students, career changers, and those seeking affordable public higher education in the Midwest.
Computer Science.
46 graduates
Information Resources Management.
50 graduates
Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician.
58 graduates
Construction Management, General.
37 graduates
Mathematical Statistics and Probability.
17 graduates
University of Northern Iowa offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for comprehensive analysis. Computer Science produces the highest earnings at $80,228 with 46 graduates, though ranking #146 nationally reflects the competitive landscape in this field.
Information Resources Management ranks #25 nationally and #1 in Iowa, graduating 50 students with median earnings of $79,033 and a strong value score of 70.7. Chemical Engineering Technology stands out with a #7 national ranking and #1 in Iowa, producing 58 graduates earning $77,548 with an impressive value score of 76.9.
Adult and Continuing Education represents the university's largest program by enrollment with 380 graduates earning $42,919, ranking #49 nationally and #1 in Iowa with a strong value score of 78.0. Audiology/Speech-Language Pathology ranks #5 nationally and #1 in Iowa with graduates earning $53,086, demonstrating UNI's strength in specialized health fields.
Business Administration ranks #99 nationally with 174 graduates earning $61,468, reflecting the program's scale and solid outcomes. These programs showcase UNI's particular strengths in education, business, and technology fields with several achieving top rankings within Iowa.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Northern Iowa's published cost of attendance is $21,627 per year, consisting of $9,728 in-state tuition, $9,648 for room and board, and $800 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face tuition of $21,272.
However, the average student pays just $14,609 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,018 compared to the sticker price. This net price falls $516 below the peer median of $14,093, indicating competitive affordability relative to similar public institutions.
The university's financial aid strategy demonstrates commitment to accessibility, with aid packages reducing costs substantially across all income levels. Net costs range from $10,170 for the lowest-income families to $16,396 for the highest-income tier, a spread of $6,226 that reflects progressive aid targeting.
UNI's affordability index ranks at the 78.1st percentile nationally, reflecting well above average performance in keeping costs manageable for students and families. This strong affordability performance, combined with solid post-graduation outcomes, creates favorable conditions for educational return on investment.
The controlled cost structure supports UNI's role as an accessible public university serving Iowa residents and regional students seeking quality higher education without excessive financial burden.
University of Northern Iowa graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth over their early careers. Median earnings progress from $47,222 six years after enrollment to $50,478 at eight years and $55,177 at ten years, representing 16.8% growth from the six-year to ten-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from 4,232 graduates in the ten-year cohort, providing high confidence in reported figures across the university's diverse program portfolio. Graduates earn $5,061 more than the peer median of $50,116, indicating solid performance relative to similar public institutions.
However, earnings fall $4,091 below expectations when adjusting for student demographics and program mix, placing UNI at the 37.7th percentile on this value-added measure. Low-income graduates earn $47,100, ranking in the top 50% nationally, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds.
Earnings span from $40,595 at the 25th percentile to $72,594 at the 75th percentile, a 1.8:1 ratio reflecting moderate variation across disciplines. Approximately 22.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education.
The combination of steady growth, peer-relative strength, and solid outcomes for diverse student populations supports UNI's role as an accessible pathway to economic stability.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Western Connecticut State University Similar quality tier (#428 ranked) | CT | 81% | $59,115 | #428 | Compare |
Georgia Gwinnett College Similar quality tier (#426 ranked) | GA | 96% | $47,730 | #426 | Compare |
University Of Idaho Similar quality tier (#429 ranked) | ID | 79% | $54,670 | #429 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Similar quality tier in Midwest (#425 ranked) | WI | 88% | $54,990 | #425 | Compare |
Arkansas State University Similar quality tier (#424 ranked) | AR | 70% | $42,617 | #424 | Compare |
