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.”