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.
Enrollment at UNI was 13,168 students in the fall of 2011. 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.
