CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – U.S. News & World Report has once again ranked the University of Northern Iowa among its list of 2024 Best Graduate Schools. Designed for prospective students looking to further their education beyond an undergraduate degree, the Best Graduate Schools rankings evaluate programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, education, engineering, law, medicine and nursing. 

UNI’s honored programs for graduate education are a combination of face-to-face, entirely online and hybrid degrees offered in partnership with all UNI colleges, Online and Distance Education, and the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education where more than 80 degree, certificate and endorsement programs are housed. 

“It’s incredibly gratifying to have UNI recognized as a national leader in graduate education,” said Steph Huffman, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and dean of the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education. “UNI has a strong, long-standing history of developing educators, innovators, strategic leaders and other professionals who serve our schools, businesses and organizations, and communities. This ranking reflects our commitment to providing high-quality, impactful graduate educational opportunities.”

By collecting graduate school data annually, U.S. News is able to present the most current figures on enrollment, job placement, faculty and other critical quality indicators that help prospective students make informed decisions.

UNI’s College of Education offers 10 master's programs and a doctoral program which are represented within the graduate rankings of Best Education Schools. These range from advanced degrees like elementary and early childhood education to programs that prepare school administrators, school psychologists and teacher librarians.

"The ranking continues to represent our outstanding faculty, innovative curriculum, and our ability to meet students where they are to deliver an experience that is individualized, relevant and meaningful,” said Amy Nielsen, the College of Education’s interim associate dean of graduate studies.

UNI also ranks among the top in the country for its part-time MBA in the Wilson College of Business. 

"I am proud to see our MBA program recognized again as one of the top programs in the nation," said Leslie Wilson, dean of the Wilson College. "I know our faculty are working diligently to ensure our curriculum meets the needs of students preparing to be global business leaders. From the use of AI, addressing supply chain disruptions, and managing a remote workforce, we seek to provide our students with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the changing landscape and excel in their careers. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students, who have helped make our program successful."

UNI’s Speech-Language Pathology M.A. is among the top 100 speech pathology programs in the rankings. Students benefit from valuable clinical experience at the Roy Eblen Speech and Hearing Clinic located conveniently on campus.

“We take pride in offering students a comprehensive educational experience that combines hands-on clinical exposure, rigorous coursework, and valuable research opportunities with faculty members,” said Jennifer Garrett, head of the UNI Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders. “This recognition reaffirms our department's commitment to excellence in training future speech-language pathologists. With the experiences they gain here, our students graduate as highly competent professionals, ready to make meaningful contributions to improving the lives of individuals with communication disorders.”

UNI’s Master of Public Policy Program is recognized as one of the Best Public Affairs Programs by U.S. News & World Report. With its fully online format, the program is ideal for those seeking career advancement within public service and nonprofit organizations in the field of public policy. 

“As the only nationally accredited program in the state, earning this recognition reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation in preparing future leaders for impactful public policy careers,” said Chris Larimer, MPP program coordinator and professor in the Department of Political Science. 

The University of Northern Iowa ranks highly in a number of U.S. News categories, including ranking second best among regional public universities in the Midwest. It also ranks among the best value schools, best colleges for veterans and most innovative schools.