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Colleges / University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate95%

Northern Iowa Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Northern Iowa was $8,396 a year for in-state students and $19,940 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

Remember, the advertized cost of tuition does not always tell the full story. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay out of pocket more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Tuition for international students at University of Northern Iowa is $19,940 per year.

University of Northern Iowa meets 65.4% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of Northern Iowa full-time are awarded $9,707 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $24,235 in student loans for each student with debt.

University of Northern Iowa: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of Northern Iowa is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $8,396 for in-state students who attend full-time. For non-Iowa residents, out-of-state tuition is $19,940 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a school where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan drastically reduce the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to verify your state's eligibility criteria for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Iowa colleges

Tuition for International Students at University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of Northern Iowa usually pay around $19,940 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or University of Northern Iowa-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at University of Northern Iowa:

•On-campus jobs •University of Northern Iowa-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


University of Northern Iowa Living Expenses, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of Northern Iowa.

House and Food Costs at University of Northern Iowa

Housing and campus dining at University of Northern Iowa costs $9,648 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the University of Northern Iowa's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at University of Northern Iowa?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be additional fees associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at University of Northern Iowa

The total cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand transportation in a city may be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. University of Northern Iowais in a suburb in Iowa.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, be sure to consider the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


The Full Cost of Attending University of Northern Iowa


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending University of Northern Iowa.

How Much Does University of Northern Iowa Cost?

What will the cost of attending University of Northern Iowa be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $8,396
Out-of-State Tuition $19,940
Room and Board $9,648
Other expenses $1,774

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

University of Northern Iowa’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •Academic program for both full and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students


University of Northern Iowa Financial Aid


The majority of University of Northern Iowa undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2023, 4,171 of the 7,739 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of Northern Iowa meets 65.4% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $9,707 a year. Around 63.6% of University of Northern Iowa undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of Northern Iowa graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $24,235 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $20,274
Private Loans $17,941
Most Common Loans for University of Northern Iowa Students
Federal Loans 63.05%
Private loans 14.67%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of Northern Iowa financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of Northern Iowa

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of Northern Iowa awarded 2,522 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $27.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $5.95 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of Northern Iowa Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of Northern Iowa students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of Northern Iowa was $9,707 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of Northern Iowa seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $2,536
Net In-state, Off-campus $821
Out-of-State, On-Campus $23,787

What will attending University of Northern Iowa really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of Northern Iowa's net cost calculator on their website.

University of Northern Iowa Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

University of Northern Iowa does not have guaranteed tuition.

University of Northern Iowa offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Northern Iowa Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of Northern Iowa's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of University of Northern Iowa's endowment was $183 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $18,614 for each full-time student enrolled.


Learn More About University of Northern Iowa


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about University of Northern Iowa in the College Confidential forums

Northern Iowa Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$20,176

In State

$31,720

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$8,396
$19,940
Fees
$1,332
$1,332
Housing
$9,648
$9,648
Books
$800
$800

Northern Iowa Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

35%

Average Financial Aid Package

$9,267

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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