University of Northern Iowa
- Public
University of Northern Iowa: international tuition 21,712 USD per year, one-year total cost ≈ 34,054 USD, acceptance rate 92.7%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 79, Duolingo 105.
Vietnamese first-year students are automatically considered for the merit-based International Scholars Award ($2,000-$5,000/year) and can apply for the International Excel Award. The pages do not mention need-based aid for international students.
Getting in. The school admits 92.7% of applicants (4,971 of 5,360). Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 520–650, Math 500–630, ACT 19–26. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 6+, TOEFL iBT 79+ or Duolingo 105+. If the English score is not there yet, the school can still admit conditionally.
Cost for a year. One year comes to about 34,054 USD, before any scholarship. 1 scholarship is confirmed for international students, but nothing is taken off yet because the amount of each one is not clear. According to the Common Data Set 2024-2025, 66 international students got financial aid, 5,365 USD each on average.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline for fall is 1/7. You apply through UNI online application (CatID). How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 12/10/2026
What is the tuition at University of Northern Iowa?
International tuition is 21,712 USD per year. The total cost for one year is ≈ 34,054 USD.
Does University of Northern Iowa offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. Vietnamese first-year students are automatically considered for the merit-based International Scholars Award ($2,000-$5,000/year) and can apply for the International Excel Award. The pages do not mention need-based aid for international students.
What English scores does University of Northern Iowa require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 79, Duolingo 105.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Northern Iowa?
The acceptance rate is 92.7%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerYesAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.If you are admitted, the offer comes with aid: the school either sets what your family pays based on finances, or takes a merit scholarship off the tuition.You will need: no separate scholarship essay — the school considers you for merit aid from your application.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.The pages we read mention no scholarship with its own application. Not seeing one does not mean there is none — ask the school.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Country or region-specific scholarships
Iowa Partner State AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Country or region specificCountry or region specificReserved for students from specific countries or regions.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page4,000 USD/year≈ ₫104M
The quote only introduces a list of partner regions; it shows the award targets those regions, not that international students are excluded, so 'No' cannot be concluded.
- Renewable in later years
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- University of Northern Iowa2024Official
- UNI International Admissions2023Campus tour
- University of Northern Iowa2022Official
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 375 public United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
Non-resident tuition (College Scorecard); international students pay at least this, some schools add an international fee.
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?YesThe page says international students applying from high school are automatically considered for the International Scholars Award upon admission, with no separate scholarship application.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearThe pages do not say whether admission decisions for international students ignore ability to pay, so need-blind status cannot be determined.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearNo page mentions a CSS Profile or a separate international aid form; the International Scholars Award needs no application, while some other awards need the UNI Scholarship Application.
Scholarships at this school
International Scholars AwardMeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page2,000 – 5,000 USD/year≈ ₫52.2M – ₫130M
The award is specifically for international students applying from high school, so Vietnamese students are eligible for consideration.
- Renewable in later years
International Excel AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Separate application requiredSchool page
The quoted text says only 'all new incoming degree-seeking students' without naming international students, so it is not enough on its own to confirm eligibility.
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: Application opens July 1; priority deadline February 1
Iowa Partner State AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.Country or region specificCountry or region specificReserved for students from specific countries or regions.Considered automatically with the admission applicationSchool page
The quote only introduces a list of partner regions; it shows the award targets those regions, not that international students are excluded, so 'No' cannot be concluded.
- Renewable in later years
Presidential Scholar AwardIntl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Separate application requiredSchool page
The page does not explicitly say this award is open to international students, although it is listed on the international scholarships page.
- Renewable in later years
Deadline: Priority deadline February 1
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptRequired
- English proficiencyRequired
- Proof of fundsRequired
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 534 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
Compared with 454 United States schools admitting 70%+ that publish it in Duckling's data.
Deadlines
- UNI Scholarship Application priority deadline (Fall 2027 freshmen)Scholarshipabout92days
- Application opens for Fall 2027Other+259 days
- Application opens for Fall 2027 freshmenApplication+259 days
Admission odds in numbers
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit.
57 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
* U.S. median for this field — the school publishes no figure of its own.
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Why this school is listed: accepts applications through the Common App.
Updated 12/10/2026How Duckling sources data