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Is University of Northern Iowa worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of Northern Iowa, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
University of Northern Iowa lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $19,691 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $55,177, but the margin is not huge. For context, University of Northern Iowa's net price runs about 21% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$15,931
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrThis weighs on your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $2,777 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $11,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$15,901
Median earnings 10 years out
$55,177
Median debt at graduation
$19,691
Graduation rate
68%
At University of Northern Iowa, a typical graduate carries about $19,691 in student debt and earns roughly $55,177 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $224 per month, or 5% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
University of Northern Iowa is a public four year school in Cedar Falls, IA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
Iowa State
Ames, IA
Worth-It Score: 76/100
Median net price: $18,589
Public 4-year
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $22,531
Public 4-year
SUNY at Fredonia
Fredonia, NY
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $15,897
Public 4-year
Black Hills State
Spearfish, SD
Worth-It Score: 52/100
Median net price: $15,911
Public 4-year
Southeast Missouri State
Cape Girardeau, MO
Worth-It Score: 59/100
Median net price: $15,882
Common questions about University of Northern Iowa
The median net price at University of Northern Iowa is $15,901 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in Iowa? See the most affordable public universities in Iowa →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →