University of Northern Iowa
University of Northern Iowa — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
University of Northern Iowa at a Glance
The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a public university in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 90 majors across five colleges. The fall 2025 total enrollment was 9,204 students.
1876
150 years old
$211M
$211.4 million (2024)
9,283
7,716 undergrad · 1,567 grad
900 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Northern Iowa
Official admissions page$40
Fee waiver available
Fee waiver
Is University of Northern Iowa Worth It?
University of Northern Iowa offers moderate value at $15,901/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $55,177, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.2 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 68% graduation rate means roughly 32% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
With a 93% acceptance rate, admission is essentially open — the question isn't whether you'll get in, but whether the investment will pay off.
How University of Northern Iowa compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #21 of 152 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | California State University-Bakersfield | 100 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
| #2 | California State University-Stanislaus | 100 | $6,067 | $63,188 |
| #3 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #4 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #5 | University of California-Merced | 93 | $11,983 | $64,368 |
| #6 | Solano Community College | 83 | $4,669 | $44,170 |
| #21 | University of Northern Iowa | 59 | $15,901 | $55,177 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of University of Northern Iowa's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Northern Iowa
The highest-earning program at University of Northern Iowa is Construction Management at $61,000/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Construction Management graduate from University of Northern Iowa earns $61,000, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,901/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Management | $61,000 | $61,000 | N/A |
| Computer Science | $59,000 | $59,000 | $19,062 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians | $58,900 | $58,900 | $19,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $55,200 | $55,200 | $22,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $52,100 | $52,100 | $20,231 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $47,100 | $47,100 | $21,187 |
| Economics | $46,800 | $46,800 | $20,000 |
| Real Estate | $45,500 | $45,500 | $20,591 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $44,000 | $44,000 | $18,000 |
| Marketing | $42,500 | $42,500 | $18,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $40,200 | $40,200 | $21,500 |
| Mathematics | $39,700 | $39,700 | $16,066 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $39,000 | $39,000 | $23,813 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $38,500 | $38,500 | $20,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $37,200 | $37,200 | $22,427 |
| Political Science and Government | $37,000 | $37,000 | $23,250 |
| Criminology | $34,900 | $34,900 | $18,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $34,500 | $34,500 | $16,836 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $33,800 | $33,800 | $21,475 |
| Social Work | $33,100 | $33,100 | $19,500 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $32,900 | $32,900 | $15,300 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $32,200 | $32,200 | $22,820 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $31,300 | $31,300 | $19,500 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $30,800 | $30,800 | $23,027 |
| Psychology, General | $30,600 | $30,600 | $18,639 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $30,500 | $30,500 | $20,500 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $30,000 | $30,000 | $20,235 |
| Biology, General | $29,700 | $29,700 | $23,125 |
| History | $29,500 | $29,500 | $22,232 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $29,200 | $29,200 | $21,427 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $25,300 | $25,300 | $20,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,300 | $20,300 | $25,853 |
Similar Colleges in IA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Cedar Falls, IA
- Student Body
- 7,529 students
- Admission Rate
- 93%
- Graduation Rate
- 68%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,901
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $55,177
- Median Student Debt
- $19,691