University of Northern Iowa Acceptance Rate
Cedar Falls, Iowa · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 4,913
- Admitted
- 4,638
- Yield
- 33.5%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate has risen from 77.7% in 2014–15 to 94.4% in 2023–24. Applications fell from 5,260 to 4,913 (-7%) over that period.
Its 94.4% rate makes University of Northern Iowa more selective than about 11% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 26 tracked Iowa schools, it is more selective than about 8%.
University of Northern Iowa has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 33.5% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 5,260 | 4,088 | 77.7% | 2,038 |
| 2015–16 | 5,394 | 4,290 | 79.5% | 1,916 |
| 2016–17 | 5,196 | 4,290 | 82.6% | 2,000 |
| 2017–18 | 5,494 | 4,441 | 80.8% | 1,834 |
| 2018–19 | 5,217 | 4,212 | 80.7% | 1,661 |
| 2019–20 | 4,701 | 3,716 | 79% | 1,465 |
| 2020–21 | 5,085 | 4,011 | 78.9% | 1,482 |
| 2021–22 | 4,772 | 4,094 | 85.8% | 1,553 |
| 2022–23 | 4,594 | 4,362 | 94.9% | 1,436 |
| 2023–24 | 4,913 | 4,638 | 94.4% | 1,552 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 3,032 | 2,883 | 95.1% |
| Men | 1,881 | 1,755 | 93.3% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 460–580 | 1% |
| SAT Math | 400–630 | |
| ACT Composite | 20–26 | 46% |
How University of Northern compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate?
University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate is 94.4% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (4,638 admitted of 4,913 applicants).
Is University of Northern Iowa test optional?
University of Northern Iowa is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to University of Northern Iowa?
University of Northern Iowa received 4,913 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 4,638.
What SAT score do you need for University of Northern Iowa?
Admitted students at University of Northern Iowa typically scored 460–580 on SAT Reading/Writing and 400–630 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is University of Northern Iowa getting harder to get into?
University of Northern Iowa has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 77.7% in 2014–15 to 94.4% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: https://www.uni.edu/.