Academics
The University of Northern Iowa is a large university packed into a 鈥渉omey and welcoming鈥 atmosphere, giving around 12,000 students the most for their money. 鈥淔ree tutoring, free sporting events, [and] small class sizes,鈥 not to mention an 鈥渋ncredible business school,鈥 鈥済ood placement rates and good relationships with local industry鈥 for the technology department, and a 鈥済reat student-to-faculty ratio鈥 are just a few of its perks. 鈥淵ou truly won鈥檛 feel like just a number at UNI,鈥 says a student. Many courses are hybrid classroom/field experiences, and there are also 鈥渁 vast amount鈥 of opportunities for students to get involved in other organizations through the school and the community. UNI does 鈥渁 great job of making sure that students are ready to pursue their major post-graduation鈥 by requiring students to complete specific programs 鈥渢hat will ultimately get them ready for their future.鈥
Professors 鈥渃are about you and want you to do well in their classes,鈥 and 鈥渁re always willing to help if you have questions or are struggling.鈥 Many classes are recorded so students can refer back to them at a later date, 鈥渄iscussions and activities are frequent,鈥 and 鈥渉ands-on, lab-based learning is standard.鈥 Several classes also incorporate innovative, out-of-the-box methods. 鈥淥ne 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,鈥 says a student. UNI is also 鈥渁 teaching school, meaning most professors are here to educate their students and not to get published in research.鈥 The small campus 鈥渕akes scheduling easier to maintain,鈥 and faculty 鈥渁re willing to help with flexible office hours.鈥
Student Body
The 鈥渙ne big family鈥 at UNI includes 鈥渁 LOT of friendly faces,鈥 and 鈥渆veryone is very welcoming, loving, and there to help when you need it.鈥 鈥淕roup projects are actually fun because everyone helps and truly cares about the grade,鈥 says a student. Students are largely from the state of Iowa and 鈥減redominantly white,鈥 but there is plenty of racial and cultural diversity, with 鈥渕any ethnic minorities and international students.鈥 This is 鈥渁 very social campus that makes you feel like you belong,鈥 and 鈥渆veryone is very inclusive.鈥 Everyone 鈥渉as each other鈥檚 thoughts and well-being in their mind.鈥
Campus Life
The university 鈥渞eally stresses the fact that there are numerous student organizations on campus鈥 (more than 250) and if you can鈥檛 find one that fits your interest, it 鈥渕akes it really easy to help you start your own by providing resources and funds to help you get started.鈥 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. 鈥淚n the end it鈥檚 nice because you don鈥檛 have to cough up extra money to use these things,鈥 says a grateful student. Students love the 鈥済reat dining center food,鈥 but in their spare time will often 鈥淕o to Main Street and go out to eat at restaurants鈥 for fun. A 鈥済ood majority of students have an on-campus job鈥 and are able to easily manage it with schoolwork because 鈥渨hether onor off-campus, the managers and owners understand that students will put their grades first and allow flexibility in their schedules.鈥 鈥淪everal big concerts are brought to the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center each year,鈥 and on weekends, a lot of people go out 鈥渢o the bars on the Hill, which is right by campus.鈥
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