CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) has earned recognition in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs rankings. UNI received top honors for both its online master’s in education programs and for the first time, its online bachelor’s programs.

U.S. News evaluated schools based on a variety of factors such as student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies. This year, more than 1,600 online bachelor’s and master’s degree programs were evaluated. U.S. News has been publishing school rankings specifically for top online degree programs for more than a decade.

“It is an honor for UNI to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for providing some of the nation’s top online master’s and bachelor’s programs,” said Kristin Woods, associate vice president for enrollment management. “This achievement reflects our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education that meets the needs of today’s learners and prepares them for success in their careers and communities.”

Contributing to this first-time ranking for online undergraduate programs are these degree programs: 

• Bachelor of Arts in accounting (hybrid), criminology and criminal justice, early childhood education, elementary education (including the Purple Pathway for Paraeducators and Online Transfer Program), individual studies: human services, individual studies: sports administration, management: business administration, and technology management.
• Bachelor of Applied Science in criminal justice and managing business and organizations
• Bachelor of Liberal Studies

UNI’s online graduate programs included in the rankings – which as a group are in the top third of the more than 300 programs ranked – are:

• Master of Arts in art education, instructional design and learning technologies, leadership in physical education, mathematics: community college teaching; mathematics for elementary and middle grades (K-8); mathematics: secondary teaching emphasis; school library studies, science education, social science; teacher leadership for international educators, teaching English in secondary schools; and teaching English for Speakers of other languages (TESOL)
• Master of Arts in Education for early childhood education; elementary education; literacy education; principalship; special education: consultant emphasis; and special education: field specialization 
• Master of Music in music education

These 16 graduate programs and 12 undergraduate programs are part of more than 50 degree, certificate and endorsement offerings supported by the Division of Online Education & Individual Studies, housed within UNI’s College of Graduate, Research and Online Education. Many are fully online, while some combine primarily online coursework with limited in-person components.

“Guided by our mission, UNI has a rich tradition of providing in-demand online programs designed to meet the needs of busy working professionals,” said Stephanie Huffman, associate vice president for strategic initiatives and dean of the College of Graduate, Research and Online Education. “We’re honored to receive this recognition, which highlights our commitment to expanding access to higher education and reflects the outstanding quality of our offerings.”

To learn more about UNI’s online degree programs, visit online.uni.edu/programs.