Is University of Northern Iowa test optional?

We haven't confirmed University of Northern Iowa's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate?

93% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 4,971 of 5,360 applicants were admitted. Applications held near 5,360, and University of Northern Iowa's admit rate went from 80% to 93%.

What ACT score do you need for University of Northern Iowa?

44% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 19–25, with a median of 22. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1045–1264 works out to about 20–27.

What GPA do you need for University of Northern Iowa?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.61 high school GPA, and 22% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for University of Northern Iowa? (Middle 50%: 1045–1264)

First-year students at University of Northern Iowa who sent an SAT scored 1045–1264, with a median of 1160 (Common Data Set 2025–26). University of Northern Iowa admits 93% of applicants.

University of Northern Iowa · Cedar Falls, IA

Where your score lands at University of Northern Iowa

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1045–1264, median 1160

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier University of Northern Iowa is for you and whether to send your score.

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University of Northern Iowa by the numbers

Admit rate: 93%
Middle 50% SAT: 1045–1264
Median SAT: 1160
About on the ACT: 20–27
Sent an SAT: 2%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

University of Northern Iowa admit rate over 10 years

Applications held near 5,360, and University of Northern Iowa's admit rate went from 80% to 93%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	5,360	4,971	93%
2023	4,913	4,638	94%
2022	4,594	4,362	95%
2021	4,772	4,094	86%
2020	5,085	4,011	79%
2019	4,701	3,716	79%
2018	5,217	4,212	81%
2017	5,494	4,441	81%
2016	5,196	4,290	83%
2015	5,394	4,290	80%

In fall 2024, 1,546 of the 4,971 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at University of Northern Iowa

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1000Far reachHold
1000–1040ReachHold
1050–1150TargetHold
1160–1260TargetSend
1270 and upLikelySend

80090010001100120013001400

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

University of Northern Iowa SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	480	580	655
SAT Reading and Writing	540	560	580
SAT total	1045	1160	1264
ACT composite	19	22	25

Of enrolled first-year students, 2% sent an SAT and 44% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.61; 99% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 22%; of new students who reported a rank

University of Northern Iowa cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $15,901; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 68%
Median earnings: $55,177; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 8,463

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like University of Northern Iowa

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Iowa

Every college for an SAT of1050 1160 1260

Sources

University of Northern Iowa Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
University of Northern Iowa website
University of Northern Iowa

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1045–1264, and the median was 1160. At 1160 or higher you're above half of them. University of Northern Iowa admits 93% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$