CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa is taking a bold step to benefit students across the Midwest with a plan to offer in-state tuition to students in all six states bordering Iowa.

This initiative, pending approval by the Iowa Legislature, aims to help students from neighboring states access affordable, high-quality education while enhancing workforce-ready skills and addressing job shortages in Iowa.

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 Public 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 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 in 2024 to help supply the Midwest with more health care professionals. UNI also boasts three new engineering programs: a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering, and a Bachelor of Science in Materials Science Engineering Technology.  

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 will welcome 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.