Degrees Offered at Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Online Universities You Can Start Anytime.
Upper Iowa University is one of the top private liberal arts colleges in the Midwest. Students attending UIU can choose from a complete selection of accredited degree programs in the arts and sciences. From nursing leadership to professional studies, the degree options at UIU are designed to accommodate the career goals of each student. UIU is accredited to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees from its physical campuses and online college.
Whether students are looking for a Ph.D. program or a two-year associate’s program in a field with excellent earning potential, UIU has the faculty and resources to provide a flexible and meaningful learning experience. Most students enroll in online programs, and the distance education system at UIU is open to students from all over the world. Physical attendance is not necessary for students of the online university. The most popular online program is the RN to BSN Nursing completion program for registered nurses who already have an associate’s degree in nursing. Credits from this program are transferrable to any university, and they will be recognized by any hospital or clinic.
The majority of online degree programs at UIU are bachelor of science programs. Several popular master’s programs are available as well, including the Master of Business Administration, Master of Education, Master of Public Administration and Master of Sports Administration. All of the Web-based programs are available to residential students, and some degree programs are offered only in the traditional format, including the bachelor of science programs in disaster management, forensic science, information systems, and software engineering.
About Upper Iowa University
UIU was established in 1854 by Elizabeth Alexander, an early settler of Fayette, Iowa. She encouraged her family members to get involved in the financing and construction of Upper Iowa University. It was originally built on 10 acres of land donated by Mrs. Alexander’s son-in-law, and the initial opening was financed with $15,000 of money donated to the project. The Methodist Church was associated with the early operation of UIU, until 1928, when it became a general liberal arts college.
The early years of operation were interrupted by the Civil War and World War I, and enrollment declined during World War II as most Americans became involved in the war effort. Enrollment surged after the war as soldiers returning home used funding from the G.I. Bill to finance their education. A second enrollment surge happened in the years following the Vietnam War. In 1972, UIU offered its first distance education programs, which included an early online learning component.
UIU was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 1984, and several new locations were added across the U.S. Expansion of the university continued into the 1990s and 2000s, with new campuses opening in Canada, China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Today, courses are offered from the main campus in Fayette, Iowa, as well as the satellite campuses around the world and the online campus.
The main campus sits on 100 acres of land in a town that has been called one of the best places to live in the Midwest. Class sizes are small, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1. Students at UIU have access to free on-campus tutor centers and advising from tenured faculty. UIU offers degree programs online and on campus in over 40 academic disciplines. Student resources and technology are always kept up-to-date to ensure that UIU can remain regionally accredited. Older buildings are thoroughly renovated on an ongoing basis, and recreational facilities are continuously being added. The campus currently includes an 18-hole golf course, fitness center, and rock-climbing wall.
Upper Iowa University Accreditation Details
UIU is regionally accredited, and several of its programs are also independently accredited. The Higher Learning Commission has provided institutional accreditation for all of the departments and degree programs at UIU. Regional accreditation is a rigorous form of accreditation that ensures that credits earned at UIU will be honored anywhere else a student goes to study or work. Nursing programs at UIU are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and these programs are offered both online and on campus. Several baccalaureate options for nursing majors are accredited by the CCNE, including the RN to BSN completion program. From the arts and sciences to business and professional studies, the degree choices at UIU are wide-ranging and consistent in quality.
Upper Iowa University Application Requirements
Admissions to UIU are competitive, and the acceptance rate is 56 percent. The graduation rate, which measures the number of undergraduate students who earned a four-year degree within six years, is 45 percent. Application deadlines for spring, summer, and fall semesters are ongoing, so students can apply for enrollment at any time of the year. Online application times and semester start dates are flexible, and students can enroll in online classes while attending the physical campus of UIU.
First-year applicants must include high school transcripts with their applications. Undergraduate transfer students must include college transcripts showing at least 30 hours of credit earned from an accredited university. Graduate students must include proof of a bachelor’s degree as well as GRE scores with their applications. All transcripts should have information about grade point average and class ranking. Undergraduate applicants are required to include SAT or ACT scores with their applications.
While application deadlines have a rolling schedule, applications must be turned in at least 30 days before the start of the semester. Late applications may be approved on a provisional basis, and students may be allowed to enroll in classes with late enrollment.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition costs at UIU are about the same for undergraduate and graduate students whether they attend classes on campus or online. Most students can expect to pay around $28,890 per year in tuition costs, and the rate is the same for residents of Iowa as well as non-residents. When the cost of books and living expenses is added to the cost of tuition, students typically pay an additional $15,000 to $20,000 per year. After financial aid has been calculated, most students will pay around $22,405 for a four-year education. Financial aid can be obtained through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website. FAFSA is the federal program for need-based student aid, so students can find low-cost public loans and grants backed by the federal government. Students who wish to apply for scholarships, academic grants, private loans or work-study programs can do so in the financial aid office at Upper Iowa University.
