University of Northern Iowa

With the perfect combination of history, culture, and technology, the University of Northern Iowa is situated on a 916-acre urban campus in the heart of Cedar Falls. As a comprehensive public four-year institution providing a world-class university education, UNI is founded on a strong liberal arts curriculum in a personalized learning environment. Home to an intellectually and culturally diverse community of over 11,000 students, the University of Northern Iowa retains an impressive student-faculty ratio of 16:1 and boasts one of the most affordable tuition rates in the state.

Founded in 1876, the school was initially established by legislators Edward G. Miller and H.C. Hemenway as an orphanage to care for the children affected by the Civil War throughout the northern region of the state. However, as the orphans grew up and moved out into the world, the building was transformed into a public teacher training institution devoted to the training of high-quality teachers. Since its inception, the institution has also gone by the names of the Iowa State Normal School, Iowa State Teachers College, and the State College of Iowa. True to its roots, UNI retains the proud distinction of leading Iowa's top teacher education programs.

Nationally recognized for excellence in education, the University of Northern Iowa is currently ranked as the 13th best college, 2nd top public school, and 6th top university for military veterans in the Midwest by the U.S. News and World Report. UNI is fully accredited by the North Central Association (NCA) to award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in over 90 majors. Among the prominent degree options, the accounting program has consistently ranked in the top 10 in the nation for the pass rate of first-time CPA exam candidates. UNI is also ranked fourth in the country among master's institutions for the number of students studying abroad.

Outside of the classroom, the vibrant campus of the University of Northern Iowa is home to more than 300 student clubs, four fraternities, and four sororities. Nicknamed the Panthers, the University of Northern Iowa participates in the Missouri Valley Conference of the NCAA Division I with high-achieving varsity teams in football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, wrestling, and more. Some of the most notable former Panthers include novelist Bess Streeter Aldrich, NFL Pro Bowler Bryce Paup, poet Mary Ellen Solt, and TV personality Mark Steines.