Students at the University of Northern Iowa achieve earnings that place the institution in the top quartile nationally, with graduates earning strong salaries across diverse career fields.
The university combines this earning power with exceptional affordability, creating reliable pathways to financial success for students from all backgrounds.
Azimuth ranks the University of Northern Iowa among the top performers for overall value, placing it in the 75th percentile nationally for return on investment among public four-year institutions. What distinguishes UNI is its ability to deliver strong long-term earnings outcomes while maintaining affordable net prices across all income levels. Graduates earn a median of $55,177 ten years after enrollment, placing the university well above average for earnings performance nationally.
The university serves a balanced student population, with about 24% receiving Pell Grants and 22% being first-generation college students. UNI's 69% six-year graduation rate reflects solid academic support, while its focus on practical, career-oriented programs helps explain why graduates achieve earnings that rank in the top quartile nationally. The institution's strength lies particularly in education, business administration, and construction management programs.
As a medium-sized public university in Cedar Falls, Iowa, UNI combines the personal attention of a smaller institution with the resources and program breadth of a larger university. For families seeking reliable outcomes without excessive costs, UNI represents a compelling option that consistently delivers on its promise of affordable, career-focused education with strong financial returns.
The University of Northern Iowa's program portfolio reflects a practical, career-focused approach that consistently delivers strong employment outcomes across diverse fields. Adult and Continuing Education stands out as the university's economic engine, graduating 380 students annually with solid career prospects in Iowa's educational sector. Business Administration and Management, with 174 graduates earning median salaries of $46,165, represents UNI's largest traditional program and demonstrates the university's strength in preparing students for management and entrepreneurial roles.
Construction Management exemplifies UNI's ability to develop specialized programs that meet regional workforce needs, with 37 graduates earning impressive median salaries of $63,997. This program reflects the university's connection to Iowa's construction and infrastructure sectors, providing students with direct pathways to high-paying careers. Even programs like Biology, while showing more modest early earnings at $29,685, serve important roles in preparing students for graduate school and careers in healthcare and research.
The diversity of strong programs—from education to business to specialized technical fields—demonstrates UNI's comprehensive approach to workforce development. The university's ability to maintain quality across this range of disciplines, combined with strong employer relationships throughout Iowa and the Midwest, helps explain why graduates achieve consistently strong long-term earnings regardless of their chosen field of study.
University of Northern Iowa graduates achieve strong long-term financial outcomes that place the institution well above average nationally. Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn a median of $55,177, ranking in the 75th percentile among public universities for earnings performance. This solid earning power reflects UNI's focus on practical, career-oriented programs that prepare students for stable, well-paying careers across multiple industries.
The university's program mix drives much of this success. Adult and Continuing Education represents UNI's largest program by total economic impact, graduating 380 students annually with median earnings of $38,538, creating substantial aggregate value. Business Administration and Management, the university's largest single program with 174 graduates, produces median earnings of $46,165 and represents a core strength. Construction Management stands out as the highest-earning program, with graduates earning $63,997 median income from a focused cohort of 37 students. Even programs like Biology, while showing more modest early earnings at $29,685, provide solid foundations for career growth and graduate school preparation.
UNI's earning outcomes reflect the university's practical approach to education, emphasizing programs that connect directly to Iowa's economy and regional job markets. The consistent performance across diverse fields demonstrates the institution's ability to prepare students for careers that provide financial stability and growth potential throughout their working lives.
The University of Northern Iowa delivers exceptional affordability across all income levels, making quality higher education accessible to a broad range of families. Low-income students pay an average net price of just $10,170 annually, while middle-income families see costs around $13,872 per year, and even high-income families pay a reasonable $16,396. These figures place UNI among the more affordable public universities nationally, particularly given the strong outcomes graduates achieve.
The university's debt structure supports long-term financial health for graduates. Typical students leave with $19,691 in federal loan debt, a manageable amount given UNI's strong earnings outcomes. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $15,005, reflecting the university's ability to keep family borrowing at reasonable levels. With a 0% federal loan default rate, UNI demonstrates that its graduates can successfully manage their educational investments.
What makes UNI particularly sustainable financially is how well debt levels align with earning potential. At median graduate earnings of $55,177, typical loan payments represent a comfortable percentage of income, allowing graduates to build financial stability while managing educational debt. The university's combination of reasonable upfront costs and strong long-term outcomes creates a financial pathway that works for families across the income spectrum.
University Of Northern Iowa Hub Overview
Executive summary with admissions, cost, outcomes, and program analysis
