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Colleges / University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate95%

Northern Iowa Admissions

It is moderately difficult to get into University of Northern Iowa. University of Northern Iowa admitted 95% of all applicants in 2022. Out of 4,594 applications received in 2023, 4,362 students were offered admission.

If you are considering submitting an application to University of Northern Iowa, the fee for the application costs $40.

University of Northern Iowa Admissions Stats at a Glance

The following is an overiew of some of University of Northern Iowa's admissions stats.

University of Northern Iowa 2023 Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA 3.6
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class 22%
Mean SAT Score 1179
Admissions Test Policy Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs 1%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs 59%
Waitlist No

University of Northern Iowa Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for University of Northern Iowa.

Application Type Offered Application Deadline Notification Deadline
Early Decision I No
Early Decision II
Early Action No

Applying Early to University of Northern Iowa?


University of Northern Iowa does not offer early decision or early action.

➡️ Discover a list of some selective colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.


More on University of Northern Iowa Admissions


Transferring to University of Northern Iowa

For more information on transferring to University of Northern Iowa, contact the school directly.

For Students Waitlisted to University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What Does University of Northern Iowa Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when deciding who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college determines which factors are given the most weight in the admissions process. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that put the most emphasis on the areas where you're strong.

Admissions Factors at University of Northern Iowa

What does University of Northern Iowa consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor Level
Academic GPA Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record Very Important
Character/Personal Qualities Considered
Class Rank Considered
Application Essay Considered
Extracurricular Activities Considered
Interview Considered
Recommendation(s) Considered
Standardized Test Scores Considered
Talent/Ability Considered
First Generation Considered

Make sure to check with University of Northern Iowa for more information on admission factors.

University of Northern Iowa 2022-2023 Application Requirements

To apply to University of Northern Iowa, all applicants must submit the following items. Check with University of Northern Iowa's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area Required Recommended Required for Some Details (If Any)
Written Essay or Personal Statement
Interview
Other Requirements 4 years of English; 3 years each of math, science and social studies; 2 or more years of electives, which may include foreign language and fine arts Specific course requirements available at admissions.uni.edu/freshmen
Transcript of High School Record

GPA and Testing


What GPA Do I Need To Get Into University of Northern Iowa?

Students admitted to University of Northern Iowa have an average unweighted GPA of 3.6. University of Northern Iowa considers weighted GPA scores from incomging students.

Out of all students that were admitted, 56% submitted a class rank. At University of Northern Iowa 22% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 52% were in the top 25% and 83% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At University of Northern Iowa, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA Percent of Students
4.0 GPA 19%
3.75 and 3.99 36%
3.50 and 3.74 13%
3.25 and 3.49 14%
3.00 and 3.24 11%
2.50 and 2.9 7%
2.00 and 2.49

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to University of Northern Iowa directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that reflects your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

University of Northern Iowa is test optional. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2022, 1% of University of Northern Iowa's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 59% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for University of Northern Iowa?

To be competitive with other University of Northern Iowa applicants, you should aim to score between 1080 and 1300 (or higher!) on the SAT. At University of Northern Iowa 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1300 and 25% of scored lower than 1080, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a University of Northern Iowa student is 1179.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of University of Northern Iowa students scored 650 or higher and 75% of students scored 530 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of University of Northern Iowa students scored 680 or higher, and 75% scored a 530 or higher.

To be most competitive at University of Northern Iowa, you should strive to earn between 20 and 26 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 26 means you fall in the 75th percentile for University of Northern Iowa's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 26, and three out of four students scored lower than 26 on the ACT.

A 20 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for University of Northern Iowa students. Only one out of every four students scored below 20.

More Information on Transferring to University of Northern Iowa

Transfer applications are processed on a on a rolling basis as they are received.

Transfer students can enroll in University of Northern Iowa during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Winter Term

• Spring Term

• Winter Term

• Summer Term


University of Northern Iowa Admissions FAQs


Can I defer my acceptance to University of Northern Iowa?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to University of Northern Iowa.

Does University of Northern Iowa accept transfer credits?

✅ University of Northern Iowa accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. University of Northern Iowa accepts:

• CLEP subject tests • DSST/DANTES

Does University of Northern Iowa accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ University of Northern Iowa accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to University of Northern Iowa?

❌ No, University of Northern Iowa is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate?

✅ The acceptance rate for University of Northern Iowa is 95%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at University of Northern Iowa?

❌ University of Northern Iowa does not offer early decision.

Want To Learn More About University of Northern Iowa?

To learn more about University of Northern Iowa, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about University of Northern Iowa

Explore other colleges in Iowa or use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting into some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.

Northern Iowa Admissions Requirements

Admission Difficulty

Somewhat Selective

95%

How hard is it to get into Northern Iowa? Northern Iowa is a somewhat selective institution. The Northern Iowa acceptance rate is 95%. This means that the institution accepts 94 out of every 100 applicants.

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Northern Iowa Application Deadline

First-Year Applications are Due

Continuous processing

Transfer Applications are Due

Continuous processing

The deadline for Fall first-year applications to Northern Iowa is Continuous processing.

The deadline for Fall transfer applications to Northern Iowa is Continuous processing.

Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs

Northern Iowa SAT Scores

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Composite SAT Range

1080 - 1300

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Math SAT Range

490 - 650

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Reading SAT Range

530 - 680

Estimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

SAT Score

Estimated Chance

1300 and Above

Good

1080 to 1300

Avg

1080 and Less

Low

SAT Scores Needed to Get Accepted

The median SAT score for Northern Iowa students is 1179. Applicants with SAT scores of 1300 and above have a good chance of being admitted to Northern Iowa, while applicants with SAT scores between 1080 to 1300 have an average chance of admittance, and prospective students with an SAT score below 1080 have a low chance of being offered a spot at Northern Iowa.

Northern Iowa GPA

Avg. High School GPA (non-weighted)

3.62

GPA Needed to Get Accepted

At Northern Iowa, the average unweighted high-school GPA for admitted students is 3.62. This is the average, which means that some applicants submit GPAs lower than this and some applicants submit GPAs above this level. If your GPA falls below the average, strong test scores or other qualifications may help you make you a more competitive applicant.

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

8,949

Campus Setting

Suburban

Acceptance Rate

95%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$9,728

Out-of-State

$21,272

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Continuous processing
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