New UNI students from the six states bordering Iowa will pay the same in-state tuition rate as Iowa residents

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa is taking a bold step to benefit students across the Midwest by offering in-state tuition to new undergraduate students from all six states bordering Iowa beginning this fall. 

UNI’s Neighboring State Rate will help students from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin access affordable, high-quality education while enhancing workforce-ready skills to address job shortages in the region.  

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The new rates are pending approval from the Iowa Board of Regents, which will consider them at its July 30 meeting. Anticipated tuition and fees for in-state students and new students from the six states bordering Iowa - Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin - will be $10,201.00 for the 2025-26 academic year. Families taking advantage of UNI’s Neighboring State Rate will save over $12,000 annually compared to paying traditional non-resident tuition.  

“This is an exciting development for students and their families across the region,” UNI President Mark Nook said. “We anticipate that UNI’s Neighboring State Rate will attract even more talented students to our campus to take advantage of the wide variety of academic programs we offer, at an even more affordable price.

“Additionally, our gratitude goes out to the UNI Foundation for its substantial commitment to help kick start this game-changing project,” Nook continued. “With support made possible by generous donors, the Foundation has earmarked resources to help the Neighboring State Rate gain momentum across the Midwest.” 

Cedar Falls is an easy drive for students and families from across the region, making UNI an attractive destination for those wishing to pursue a college education far enough, but not too far from home. 

UNI remains the most affordable public institution in Iowa and has long been recognized for helping first-generation college students achieve their educational and professional goals. It is consistently ranked No. 2 on U.S. News and World Report’s annual list of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest, underscoring UNI’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and student success. 

In 2024, the David W. Wilson College of Business continued its long streak of being named a Best Business School by the Princeton Review for more than a decade. The Wilson College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International, a distinction that can be boasted by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide. 

UNI also continues to be widely recognized for its esteemed reputation in teacher education. More than 10,000 educators can trace their roots back to UNI as the institution ranks in the top 1% of teacher education programs nationwide in terms of size and quality.

In addition to these signature programs, UNI launched its standalone Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the School of Health and Human Sciences in 2024 to help supply the Midwest with more health care professionals. UNI also boasts three new engineering programs housed in a recently renovated state-of-the-art facility, offering students hands-on experiences in advanced labs designed for real-world innovation.

By drawing in students from neighboring states and providing them with a high-quality education at an affordable cost, UNI plays a pivotal role in attracting young professionals who will choose to build their careers and lives in our region. 

The University of Northern Iowa welcomes its 150th class of students in August 2025 as the institution celebrates its sesquicentennial over the next two years. The Iowa State Normal School was established in 1876 and has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of students and the workforce in Iowa and the Midwest.