University of Northern Iowa (UNI)

The University of Northern Iowa is a large university packed into a “homey and welcoming” atmosphere, giving around 12,000 students the most for their money. “Free tutoring, free sporting events, [and] small class sizes,” not to mention an “incredible business school,” “good placement rates and good relationships with local industry” for the technology department, and a “great student-to-faculty ratio” are just a few of its perks. “You truly won’t feel like just a number at UNI,” says a student. Many courses are hybrid classroom/field experiences, and there are also “a vast amount” of opportunities for students to get involved in other organizations through the school and the community. UNI does “a great job of making sure that students are ready to pursue their major post-graduation” by requiring students to complete specific programs “that will ultimately get them ready for their future.”

Professors “care about you and want you to do well in their classes,” and “are always willing to help if you have questions or are struggling.” Many classes are recorded so students can refer back to them at a later date, “discussions and activities are frequent,” and “hands-on, lab-based learning is standard.” Several classes also incorporate innovative, out-of-the-box methods. “One of my classes allowed groups of students to research and teach the class, which allowed new views on subjects and gave the students a new view of the materials,” says a student. UNI is also “a teaching school, meaning most professors are here to educate their students and not to get published in research.” The small campus “makes scheduling easier to maintain,” and faculty “are willing to help with flexible office hours.”

The “one big family” at UNI includes “a LOT of friendly faces,” and “everyone is very welcoming, loving, and there to help when you need it.” “Group projects are actually fun because everyone helps and truly cares about the grade,” says a student. Students are largely from the state of Iowa and “predominantly white,” but there is plenty of racial and cultural diversity, with “many ethnic minorities and international students.” This is “a very social campus that makes you feel like you belong,” and “everyone is very inclusive.” Everyone “has each other’s thoughts and well-being in their mind.”

The university “really stresses the fact that there are numerous student organizations on campus” (more than 250) and if you can’t find one that fits your interest, it “makes it really easy to help you start your own by providing resources and funds to help you get started.” Tuition includes the price of free tickets to sporting and performing arts events, and there are plenty of other resources such as the Wellness Center baked into that price. “In the end it’s nice because you don’t have to cough up extra money to use these things,” says a grateful student. Students love the “great dining center food,” but in their spare time will often “Go to Main Street and go out to eat at restaurants” for fun. A “good majority of students have an on-campus job” and are able to easily manage it with schoolwork because “whether onor off-campus, the managers and owners understand that students will put their grades first and allow flexibility in their schedules.” “Several big concerts are brought to the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center each year,” and on weekends, a lot of people go out “to the bars on the Hill, which is right by campus.”