Building on a strong tradition of teacher education, the University of Northern Iowa has evolved into one of the finest comprehensive public universities in the country. UNI emphasizes excellence in undergraduate education and offers selected graduate programs at the master's, specialist's and doctoral levels.

UNI's heritage and philosophy place great value on providing a student-centered educational experience. The university offers a learning environment that is small enough to provide students with individualized attention, yet large enough to provide a variety of resources, including distinguished faculty. UNI's special combination of challenge and support is indeed a key ingredient of a "Students First" education.

Today, UNI offers more than 120 undergraduate majors. Outstanding academic programs, many of which are nationally-recognized for their excellence, have been established in the colleges of Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. In addition, UNI participates in the bachelor of liberal studies program offered by Iowa's Regent Universities and provides classes in centers around the state through the division of Continuing Education and Special Programs.

Recognized as the premier public undergraduate university in the state, UNI is experiencing an increasing demand for its high-quality programs. Enrollment at UNI was 13,400 students in the fall of 2003. Students come from every county in Iowa, and about 94 percent of UNI's undergraduate students are residents of Iowa upon enrollment.

The University of Northern Iowa was founded in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School. It became Iowa State Teachers College in 1909. In 1961, the name was changed to State College of Iowa, and in 1967, the Iowa Legislature changed the status of the institution to that of a university under its present title.

Facts & Highlights

• U.S. News and World Report ranks UNI in the top two among public comprehensive universities in the Midwest.
• Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine places us in the top 50 in the nation for best value in public colleges.
• The Education Trust named UNI first among peer institutions nationally for overall high performance in graduation rates.
• UNI prides itself on smaller class sizes that enhance faculty-student interaction and personalized instruction. Thirty-two percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, and 83 percent have fewer than 40 students.
• UNI students are actively involved with more than 200 student organizations, including special interest clubs, sororities and fraternities, religious groups and academic groups.
• UNI is the alma mater of NFL and Superbowl MVP Kurt Warner, as well as U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley.
• The UNI Wellness/Recreation Center, attached to the north side of the UNI-Dome, features a climbing wall, two pools, a running track, weight and fitness rooms, and courts for basketball, volleyball and racquetball.