By University of Northern Iowa Public Relations
The University of Northern Iowa is offering in-state tuition to new undergraduate students from all six states bordering Iowa beginning this fall. The Iowa Board of Regents officially approved UNI’s tuition rates for out-of-state residents on Wednesday.
Tuition and fees for in-state students and new students from the six states bordering Iowa –Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin – will be $10,201.00 for the 2025-26 academic year. Families taking advantage of UNI’s Neighboring State Rate will save over $12,000 annually compared to paying traditional non-resident tuition.
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UNI’s Neighboring State Rate will help students from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin access affordable, high-quality education while enhancing workforce-ready skills to address job shortages in the region.
Increasing UNI’s affordability is the fact that one in eight students from the University of Northern Iowa graduate in only three years, the highest mark in the institution’s history. Additionally, UNI’s four-year graduation rate stands nearly 20 percentage points higher than similar universities across the country.
Cedar Falls is an easy drive for students and families from across the region, making UNI an attractive destination for those wishing to pursue a college education far enough, but not too far from home.
APPROXIMATE MILEAGE TO CEDAR FALLS FROM MIDWEST CITIES
Rochester, Minnesota 115 Milwaukee 270
Rock Island, Illinois 150 Chicago 275
Mankato, Minnesota 185 Wausau, Wisconsin 285
Madison, Wisconsin 190 Appleton, Wisconsin 300
Rockford, Illinois 190 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 320
Minneapolis/St. Paul 215 Kansas City, Missouri 320
Peoria, Illinois 240 St. Louis 345
Omaha 260
UNI remains the most affordable public institution in Iowa and has long been recognized for helping first-generation college students achieve their educational and professional goals. It is consistently ranked No. 2 on U.S. News and World Report’s annual list of the Best Regional Universities in the Midwest, underscoring UNI’s ongoing commitment to academic excellence and student success.
View more stories at the Inside UNI website.