Jul 07, 2025

Neighboring States Tuition Rate

New UNI students from the six states bordering Iowa will pay the same in-state tuition rate as Iowa residents. Read more here: UNI’s Neighboring State Rate for new students slated to begin this fall.

Student is an incoming Fall 2025 student from neighboring states.

How will my financial aid be affected?

  • This change lowers your tuition and fees from the non-resident rate of $22,359 per year to $10,201 per year—a savings of over $12,000 each year.
  • The $5,000 Advantage Award will no longer be available because of this new tuition structure.
  • If you received a legacy award -these scholarships will be assumed within the in-state tuition and will no longer be awarded.
  • Any other merit scholarships you’ve received will remain unchanged.
  • Grants, loans and work study eligibility will continue to be offered based on the results of your FAFSA.

What do I need to do?

  • Nothing.   In the coming weeks you’ll receive an email informing you to view your revised financial aid offer, available within your Student Center.
  • The Neighboring State Rate is renewable annually as long as you maintain residency in one of the qualifying states for tuition purposes.
Student is an incoming Fall 2025 student NOT from Iowa or neighboring states.

How will my financial aid be affected? 

  • Your financial aid will not change.  You are still eligible for the $5,000 out of state advantage award and any other scholarships awarded to you.

Why didn’t I get the lower rate? 

  • While we’d love to give funding to all students, unfortunately there is limited funding available for the initiative and the state requested we focus on students from neighboring states given the likelihood of them staying in the state and helping with the Iowa workforce.
Student is a CURRENT (Fall 2020-24) UNI student.

How will my financial aid be affected?

  • Your financial aid will not change.  You are still eligible for the $5,000 out of state advantage award and any other scholarships awarded to you.
Student is a prospective Fall 2026+ student from neighboring states.

How does this affect me?

  • You will receive the benefit of in-state tuition - a savings of over $12,000 each year.
  • Merit scholarships ranging from $1,000 - $2,000 will still be available.
  • No legacy awards - these scholarships will be assumed within the in-state tuition and will no longer be awarded.
  • The Neighboring State Rate is renewable annually as long as you maintain residency in one of the qualifying states for tuition purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UNI's Neighboring State Rate initiative?

UNI’s Neighboring State Rate will help NEW undergraduate students from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin access affordable, high-quality education while enhancing workforce-ready skills to address job shortages in the region.  

The new rates are pending approval from the Iowa Board of Regents, which will consider them at its July 30 meeting. Anticipated tuition and fees for in-state students and new students from the six states bordering Iowa will be $10,201.00 for the 2025-26 academic year. Families taking advantage of UNI’s Neighboring State Rate will save over $12,000 annually compared to paying traditional non-resident tuition.  

Does the Neighboring State Rate only apply to NEW students from those six states?

Yes. UNI’s budget proposal to the Iowa Legislature had asked for an appropriation to fund this initiative for both new and current students from Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Ultimately, funding for this initiative was not approved as part of the higher education appropriation budget for fiscal year 2026. However, the UNI Foundation is making a substantial commitment to help kickstart this game-changing project starting this fall. Current out-of-state students will continue to receive the $5,000 Advantage Award, plus additional merit awards.

Why is UNI offering this to new out-of-state students?

UNI will offer in-state tuition to NEW undergraduate students from states bordering Iowa as an initiative to help address Iowa's workforce needs. Over 40% of UNI grads from contiguous states stay in Iowa after graduation, and overall, more than 70% of UNI students are employed in the state of Iowa five years after graduation.