Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of Northern Iowa #431 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $54,830 four years after enrollment, placing University of Northern Iowa in the 24.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. University of Northern Iowa sits in the 43.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting how graduates perform relative to similar students at comparable institutions. University of Northern Iowa's composite ranking reflects a consistent balance of return, affordability, and mobility outcomes across its student population. The university's earnings profile — anchored by a business-dominant program mix — positions graduates competitively relative to peers at comparable public institutions.
Azimuth ranks University of Northern Iowa #431 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in Cedar Falls, IA, University of Northern Iowa enrolls roughly 7,529 undergraduates. Freshman retention stands at 81.7% and the six-year graduation rate is 67.9%, reflecting solid degree-completion performance for a regional public university. The composite is anchored by return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of Northern Iowa #803 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median Business-influenced earnings of $54,830 four years after enrollment, and earn about $3,545 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Northern Iowa in the 43.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Business programs — which account for 25% of degree output — are the primary driver of that return signal. Access and mobility sit lower in the composite. University of Northern Iowa draws 27.4% Pell recipients and 22.5% first-generation students, a profile typical of regional Iowa public universities rather than broad open-access institutions. The university admits about 92.7% of applicants, reflecting a moderately selective posture. Affordability sits in the 77.4 percentile, access in the 45.4 percentile, and mobility in the 84.4 percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions — positions that reflect the institution's regional scale and student mix rather than a weakness in core educational outcomes.
University of Northern Iowa's published cost of attendance is $22,278. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,863, middle-income families pay around $14,099, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,706. Azimuth ranks University of Northern Iowa #323 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public regional university, University of Northern Iowa offers tuition pricing aligned with Iowa's public higher-education structure. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs. Most first-year students receive need-based aid through the FAFSA application process, and work-study is available as part of the aid package. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,691, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,670; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,830, median federal debt of $19,691 projects to a monthly payment of about $222 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of Northern Iowa is a strong fit for students in IA and the Midwest who want a public regional university grounded in Business and education-oriented programs, with a clear path to stable mid-career earnings and a cost structure that works for middle-income and first-generation families. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $54,830, placing University of Northern Iowa in the 24.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and graduates earn about $3,545 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Northern Iowa in the 43.0 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. 27.4% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 22.5% are first-generation students — a profile that reflects broad access — and University of Northern Iowa sits in the 70.3 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, signaling that students from lower-income backgrounds convert enrollment into meaningful long-run earnings. Median student debt at graduation is $19,691, keeping the debt load in a range that aligns well with the institution's typical earnings trajectory. Fit depends on two realistic filters: University of Northern Iowa admits about 92.7% of applicants, making it broadly accessible to most qualified students, and its program mix is oriented toward Business, education, and applied professional fields rather than research-intensive STEM or pre-professional tracks — students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes here.
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
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the University Of Northern Iowa hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Idaho Similar quality tier (#15303 ranked) | ID | 76% | $54,670 | #15303 | Compare |
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Similar quality tier (#15306 ranked) | OK | 76% | $45,079 | #15306 | Compare |
Northwestern State University Of Louisiana Similar quality tier (#15310 ranked) | LA | 93% | $47,021 | #15310 | Compare |
Columbus State University Similar quality tier (#15313 ranked) | GA | 99% | $44,544 | #15313 | Compare |
Minnesota State University-Mankato Similar quality tier in Midwest (#15295 ranked) | MN | 88% | $56,922 | #15295 | Compare |
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Northern Iowa's published cost of attendance is $22,278. Need-based aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $10,863, middle-income families pay around $14,099, and higher-income families pay approximately $18,706.
Azimuth ranks University of Northern Iowa #323 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
As a public regional university, University of Northern Iowa offers tuition pricing aligned with Iowa's public higher-education structure. The institution participates in federal (Pell Grants, Direct Loans), state, and institutional aid programs.
Most first-year students receive need-based aid through the FAFSA application process, and work-study is available as part of the aid package. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $19,691, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $17,670; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $54,830, median federal debt of $19,691 projects to a monthly payment of about $222 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of Northern Iowa earn median 4-year earnings of $54,830, placing the institution in the 24.6 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $3,545 less than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of Northern Iowa in the 43.0 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of Northern Iowa #803 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 45.8 percentile for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The earnings pattern reflects the institution's focus on Business and related fields. Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods is the largest program with 372 graduates earning median earnings of $45,885 four years after enrollment — 1.0× the national CIP-4 benchmark for the field. Azimuth ranks the program #129 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions [per the program-ranking methodology](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/). Azimuth ranks Finance and Financial Management Services #80 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with 141 graduates earning $81,172, and Business Administration, Management and Operations ranks #113 nationally with 134 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $74,838.
Computer Science
33 graduates
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
35 graduates
Construction Management
39 graduates
Real Estate
42 graduates
Finance and Financial Management Services
141 graduates
University of Northern Iowa's program mix is anchored in business and applied professional fields — a signature typical of regional public universities in the Midwest that prepare graduates for direct entry into the workforce. Business is the dominant program family, accounting for 25% of degree output, followed by Education at 23% and Social Sciences at 5%.
Across 59 programs, 34 meet Azimuth's ranking threshold, serving roughly 2,240 students annually. Teacher Education stands out as the program combining the largest graduate cohort with strong four-year earnings, making it the institution's primary economic anchor.
Azimuth ranks Teacher Education #117 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 372 graduates earning $45,885. Finance and Business Administration are also among the most-enrolled programs, with Azimuth ranking Finance #65 and Business Administration #74 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting the university's breadth across applied and professional disciplines.
The highest-earning programs at University of Northern Iowa cluster in business-adjacent and technical fields. Azimuth ranks Finance #65 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 141 graduates earning $81,172.
Business Administration and Digital Marketing follow closely, with Azimuth ranking them #74 and #67 respectively for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, earning $74,838 and $72,757. These programs represent high-mobility, direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter regional and national labor markets in accounting, finance, and management roles.
The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with current hiring trends.
