University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, United States • Founded 1876 • World Rank #4295
Overview
Established in 1876, the University of Northern Iowa is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large town of Cedar Falls (population range of 10,000-49,999 inhabitants), Iowa.
Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a medium-sized coeducational US higher education institution. University of Northern Iowa (UNI) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 148-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
UNI also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
University of Northern Iowa's address, phone, email, and social presence. Department-level scholarship enquiries route faster through the specific faculty rather than central admissions.
Academic Details
Academic statistics for University of Northern Iowa — including its student body and academic staff numbers. Read these alongside rankings; institution scale changes how rankings should be interpreted.
Academic Structures
How University of Northern Iowa structures its academic side — by faculty, school, and unit — is detailed below. The structure affects everything from credit transfer to cross-faculty modules.
Unit 4 items
- College of Business Administration
- College of Education
- College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Programs Offered
Browse University of Northern Iowa's programmes by level, or filter by name to find a specific course. The grouping helps when you have a target qualification tier but want to compare specific programme content.
Bachelor's Degree
69 programmes
University of Northern Iowa lists 69 programmes that award a bachelor's degree — the foundational tier where students establish a discipline before narrowing their focus later.
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy Forestry & Natural Resources
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication Media Studies & Mass Media
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Graphic Communications Media Studies & Mass Media
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Education, Other Education & Teaching
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General Family & Consumer Science
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services Family & Consumer Science
Apparel and Textiles Family & Consumer Science
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology Ecology & Conservation
Mathematics Mathematics
Statistics Mathematics
Biological and Physical Sciences Liberal Arts
Gerontology Liberal Arts
International/Globalization Studies Liberal Arts
Data Analytics Liberal Arts
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Sport and Exercise Science
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Religion/Religious Studies Philosophy & Ethics
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Psychology, General Psychology
Criminal Justice and Corrections Criminal Law & Justice
Public Administration Public Administration
Social Work Social Work
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Criminology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
Geography and Cartography Geography
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Design and Applied Arts Applied Design
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Health Sciences
Business/Commerce, General Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Management Information Systems and Services IT Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
Real Estate Business Administration
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations Business Administration
Construction Management Business Administration
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
40 programmes
University of Northern Iowa's 40 programmes at this tier lead to a master's qualification, valued for the focused, research-informed depth they add beyond undergraduate study.
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Public Relations
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Educational/Instructional Media Design Education & Teaching
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Library Science and Administration Library Science
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Mathematics Mathematics
Applied Mathematics Mathematics
Biological and Physical Sciences Liberal Arts
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Sport and Exercise Science
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Psychology, General Psychology
Research and Experimental Psychology Psychology
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Social Work Social Work
Geography and Cartography Geography
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services Speech & Language Therapy
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
7 programmes
These 7 programmes make up University of Northern Iowa's doctoral catalogue, where candidates work closely with supervisors to produce publishable, original research.
Education, General Education & Teaching
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies Sport and Exercise Science
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to University of Northern Iowa
Five steps that capture how most applications to University of Northern Iowa flow, from research through submission to follow-up correspondence.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. University of Northern Iowa runs 116 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Before applying to University of Northern Iowa, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for United States.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with University of Northern Iowa's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
- 4 Submit your application
Lodge your application through the official website (uni.edu). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. You can reach the institution by email at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (319) 273 2311. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Northern Iowa
A short Q&A covering University of Northern Iowa's essentials — founding, location, scale, ranking, and academic structure.
When did University of Northern Iowa open?
University of Northern Iowa traces its founding to 1876 (approximately 150 years ago).
Where is University of Northern Iowa located?
University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, United States.
Is University of Northern Iowa public or private?
University of Northern Iowa operates as a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at University of Northern Iowa?
Student enrolment at University of Northern Iowa is around 9,000-9,999.
What is University of Northern Iowa's ranking?
It ranks #4295 globally and #456 in United States.
What is University of Northern Iowa's academic structure?
University of Northern Iowa is organised into 4 academic units across its disciplines.
Is University of Northern Iowa accredited?
The institution holds recognition from Higher Learning Commission.
What is University of Northern Iowa's official website?
The institution's website is uni.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Some the United States systems publish government rating frameworks (NIRF, QS Stars, regulatory grading) alongside rankings. These add independent signals beyond commercial ranking tables.
Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
If University of Northern Iowa's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) membership influenced your interest, these institutions belong to the same network and offer comparable mobility and credential-recognition benefits. Membership shapes everything from exchange access to joint research opportunities.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Religious and cultural amenities cluster around University of Northern Iowa's region, so the universities below typically draw from similar community infrastructure outside the campus itself.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Practicum and placement requirements vary widely across Education & Teaching programmes in the United States. Compulsory placements affect total time commitment but typically improve post-graduation employment outcomes.
Universities Often Compared with University of Northern Iowa
When students choose University of Northern Iowa, they typically weigh it against institutions of similar standing. These universities sit at a comparable level — useful comparisons before committing to a final choice, especially when programme content is similar across the options.
