Thinking about college out of state? Here's why 6 students chose UNI
Thinking about college out of state? Here's why 6 students chose UNI
Choosing where to go to college is a huge decision. If you’re thinking about out-of-state schools, there are additional considerations, such as the logistics of moving farther away from home and paying out-of-state tuition. But there are so many benefits of going out of state for college. Here are a few!
You can start fresh.
“I think one of the best things about choosing an out-of-state school is the fresh start that I had,” said Katie Lynch, a UNI student from Arlington Heights, Illinois. “No one from my high school or hometown went to UNI, and I was able to come to college without expectations from others.”
College is a new and exciting chapter of your life. It’s the perfect time to reinvent yourself, whether that means exploring new hobbies, showing a different side of your personality or simply changing the types of people you hang out with. All of these changes will be so much easier if you choose to go to an out-of-state college where you likely won't find many — or even any — students from your hometown.
You’ll get to step outside your comfort zone.
Your comfort zone is certainly comfortable — but there’s so much life waiting for you beyond it. Going to an in-state school that’s close to home can make it easier to stay within that comfort zone, whereas an out-of-state school will force you to expand your horizons. For example, your hometown likely won’t be a short drive away. That means you can’t go home whenever you want to. Instead, you’ll need to find ways to entertain yourself on campus or nearby. That means talking to new people, joining clubs and getting involved in the community.
“Some of my friends who left their college campuses within the first week or two did not have that enjoyable of a college experience, while I stayed on campus and established those relationships with my friends right away,” said Megan May, a UNI student from Savage, Minnesota.
You’ll experience so much “new.”
The world is a big place. There are so many people to meet, restaurants to try, trails to hike and sights to see. A huge benefit of going out of state for college is that moving farther away from home allows you to experience a little more of the world. A new state means new geography, a new culture and a new routine.
“There are definitely some differences between Iowa and Wisconsin, and it has been fun to learn about them,” said Will Hornseth, who came to UNI from De Pere, Wisconsin. “One big difference at UNI is that I am able to meet more small town kids.”
You’ll gain independence.
“Not being super close to home gives you a sense of independence that you want when going to college,” said Dani Duffey of Minneapolis.
College is your intro to adulthood. You’ll experience a greater level of independence and the opportunity to make more decisions for yourself. These abilities will be further strengthened by distance from your parents if you choose to go out of state. This will help prepare you for life after college graduation.
You’ll have different options for majors.
Your major is one of the most, if not the most, important decision you’ll make in college. It’s a huge factor in the types of people you’ll meet, how you spend your time and, of course, what your life will look like after graduation. But not every college offers the same majors, and two colleges offering the same program may have very different curriculum and unique advantages. By extending your college search to out-of-state schools, you will ensure you aren’t settling when it comes to your major.
The strength of UNI’s communication sciences and disorders program was a huge reason why Natalie Pothoven, a Rock Island, Illinois native, chose to come to UNI. “Since I'm going into speech pathology, I was looking for a college that had an on-campus clinic so I knew I would get clinical experience,” she said. “And I found that at UNI.”
You’ll expand your network.
“The good thing about being an out-of-state student is it allowed me to expand my own network,” said Josie Koenigs of Chatfield, Minnesota. “That's really helped me explore who I am as a person, and that has benefited other people as well.”
College is the time to really start building your professional network. Sure, you’ll make lots of friends — but you’ll also meet peers and professors who might serve as valuable professional connections once you dive into your career. By going to an out-of-state school, you’ll maximize the new connections you’ll make. No matter what profession you go into, it’s always helpful to know others in the industry who can offer advice or let you know about upcoming opportunities.
Out-of-state tuition is more affordable than you think.
Many students who consider out-of-state schools think it's too expensive. But there are ample opportunities for out-of-state students to get scholarships that bring down the overall cost of their education.
If you’re attending the University of Northern Iowa as a new out-of-state student from Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska or Missouri, you automatically receive UNI’s Neighboring State Rate starting fall 2025. This means you pay the same price as Iowa students, making UNI tuition among the most affordable out-of-state tuition for students.
Get the benefits of going out of state for college with UNI’s Neighboring State Rate
If you’re a student from one of Iowa’s neighboring states, make sure you apply to UNI! You’ll find that UNI is a perfectly-sized campus in the heart of the perfectly-sized Cedar Valley, which is a safe place to live and grow. UNI offering the Neighboring State Rate means you can enroll in one of our top programs in teaching, business, nursing and health, or engineering without breaking the bank.
Find out more about attending UNI as an out-of-state student
As Iowa's only regional comprehensive university, we are designed to provide critical coursework with real, practical fieldwork.
Real, relevant academic excellence for a world that expects future-ready graduates.
- 94% of UNI grads find success within six months of graduation.
- UNI offers 200+ student clubs and organizations.
- UNI is home to 17 NCAA Division I sports teams.
- UNI is ranked a top regional public university by U.S. News & World Report.
