Northern Iowa Average GPA (3.61) & Acceptance Rate (93%)

Q: How many applicants get into the University of Northern Iowa?

University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate was 93% for fall 2024: it admitted 4,971 of 5,360 first-year applicants, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education.

Q: What GPA did the University of Northern Iowa's first-year students have?

66.5% of University of Northern Iowa's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (29%) had 3.75–3.99, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

Acceptance rate: 93% for fall 2024

Average high school GPA: 3.61, as reported by the college for 2025–26

SAT, middle 50%: 520–650 reading and writing, 500–630 math

ACT, middle 50%: 19–26 composite

Average net price: $15,931 a year (2022–23)

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A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Northern Iowa reviews each application.

University of Northern Iowa average GPA

University of Northern Iowa reported an average high school GPA of 3.61 for its first-year students who submitted one (99% did), in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether it's weighted or unweighted.

How their high school GPAs were spread:

High school GPA	Share of first-year students
4.0	16.5%
3.75–3.99	29%
3.50–3.74	21%
3.25–3.49	13.8%
3.00–3.24	10.7%
2.50–2.99	8%
2.00–2.49	1%

First-year students who submitted a high school GPA, as University of Northern Iowa reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. None had a GPA below 2.00. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so these figures can't be compared directly with your own GPA.

University of Northern Iowa acceptance rate

University of Northern Iowa admitted 4,971 of 5,360 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 93%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

University of Northern Iowa is a public 4-year university in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with 7,711 undergraduates.

SAT and ACT scores

Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Northern Iowa in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Test	25th percentile	Median	75th percentile
SAT Reading and Writing	520	590	650
SAT Math	500	580	630
ACT Composite	19	22	26
ACT English	18	21	25
ACT Math	18	20	25

2% submitted SAT scores and 43% submitted ACT scores, as University of Northern Iowa reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1122 for admitted students.

Admission requirements

What University of Northern Iowa looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:

Admission factor	Status
High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average.	Required
High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned.	Required
College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school.	Required
Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores.	Considered if submitted
High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class.	Not considered
RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors.	Not considered
Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application.	Not considered
Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III.	Not considered
Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations.	Not considered
Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work.	Not considered
Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college.	Not considered

Requirements can differ by program and applicant type, so check with University of Northern Iowa's admissions office before you apply.

AP credit

University of Northern Iowa awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

It doesn't award credit for life experience.

Average net price

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $15,931 a year at University of Northern Iowa in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Frequently asked questions

Can a 3.5 GPA get you into the University of Northern Iowa?

It would be within the usual range there: 33.5% of University of Northern Iowa's first-year students who submitted a GPA had one below 3.5, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set, and it admitted 93% of applicants for fall 2024. Colleges calculate GPA in different ways, so compare on the same scale and look at your courses and test scores too.

What are the University of Northern Iowa's SAT and ACT score ranges?

The middle 50% of University of Northern Iowa's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 520–650 in reading and writing and 500–630 in math; ACT composite 19–26, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.

Is the University of Northern Iowa hard to get into?

Not for most prepared students: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. University of Northern Iowa admitted 93% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.

Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of Northern Iowa?

Check University of Northern Iowa's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. University of Northern Iowa was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 2% sent SAT scores and 43% sent ACT scores.

How many applicants get into the University of Northern Iowa?

University of Northern Iowa's acceptance rate was 93% for fall 2024: it admitted 4,971 of 5,360 first-year applicants, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education.

What GPA does the University of Northern Iowa look for?

University of Northern Iowa doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 3.61, as reported by the college in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether that average is weighted or unweighted.

What GPA did the University of Northern Iowa's first-year students have?

66.5% of University of Northern Iowa's first-year students who submitted a high school GPA had 3.50 or higher, and the largest group (29%) had 3.75–3.99, as the college reported in its 2025–26 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether these GPAs are weighted or unweighted.

How much does GPA matter at the University of Northern Iowa?

A lot: University of Northern Iowa requires high school GPA, high school record and college preparatory program. It considers test scores if you send them. It doesn't consider high school class rank, recommendations, essay or personal statement, other tests, demonstration of competencies, work experience and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.

Does the University of Northern Iowa give credit for AP exams?

Yes. University of Northern Iowa awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.

How much does the University of Northern Iowa cost after financial aid?

First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $15,931 a year at University of Northern Iowa in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.

Before you apply, check the University of Northern Iowa's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.

Sources

College Navigator: University of Northern IowaU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
University of Northern Iowa Common Data Set 2025–26University of Northern Iowa: average high school GPA of first-year students and how their GPAs were spread.
College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).

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