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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
UNI ranked No. 1 in the Midwest for the first time WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
CEDAR FALLS, IA
VOLUME 123, ISSUE 5
Courtesy Photo/University of Northern Iowa UNI is the smallest of the three public universities in Iowa with a current enrollment of 9,366 students.
By Lily Munnik
Executive Editor
As the University of Northern Iowa wraps up the yearlong celebration of its 150th anniversary this fall, another celebratory occasion made the news on Tuesday, Sept. 22, with the release of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges. UNI has been ranked as the No. 1 public regional university in the Midwest for the first time, making this recognition one for the history books. This comes after 29 years of falling second to Truman State. “The University of Northern Iowa is honored to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report for our ongoing dedication to student success, our outstanding graduation rates and the exceptional value we offer to families across the Midwest,” said Pete Moris, UNI Director of University Relations, in UNI’s news release. The U.S. News Best Colleges rankings have been
published each year since 1983, using several factors to measure over 1,700 U.S. colleges and universities. The most important criteria for measuring rankings are graduation rates and graduation rate performance, with UNI’s four-year graduation rate sitting at more than 25 percentage points above the national average. The average student debt of UNI’s graduates is also below state and national averages. “As a graduate, volunteer and donor, I know the power of education from UNI,” said Nicholas Linde, UNI alum and current vice president at the University of Nebraska Foundation, on LinkedIn. “The ranking is no shock to anybody who attended UNI. What this signals, however, is that you don’t need to be flashy to be great.” UNI was also ranked No. 6 among Midwest universities for the value it provides to in-state students
and No. 4 among the Midwest for its support of veterans and active-duty service members. “This recognition reflects the incredible quality and commitment of our faculty, staff, and students, and the student-first mindset at the heart of UNI,” said Alicia Rosburg, UNI department head of economics, on LinkedIn. After hitting an enrollment high for the first time in six years, along with the drastic increases in student enrollment from neighboring states, Panthers all over campus are feeling proud — even hinting that this recognition was long overdue. “Those of us here [on campus] have believed this for a long time,” said Mike Murray, general manager at Learfield. “Now it’s being recognized.”
150 years of preparing students to make a difference By Ulyana Karplyuk
Assistant News Editor
On Friday, Sept. 18, students, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate three things crucial to UNI: the university’s 150th anniversary, the 100th anniversary of the Campanile and the launch of the new Chuck and Barbara Grassley Center. “These milestones tell a story of an institution grounded in service, strengthened by community and
committed to preparing future generations for lives of purpose,” said UNI President Mark Nook. The Campanile is one of the most recognizable landmarks of UNI. From hearing its bells ring to going Campaniling, it leaves a mark on everyone here on campus. Its 100th anniversary is especially important to the community, as
it marked a century of “connecting Panthers across generations,” Nook said. Gabriel Salazar, president of Northern Iowa Student Government, shared what the Campanile means to him as a student. “Whenever I look at the Campanile, I see the opportunity and the sacrifice built on the dreams of
those who came before me,” he said. Built by past generations, to this day, the tower “represents the dreams of everyone who is here to further their education, and like the Campanile, those dreams stand tall for every UNI student who passes by.” See CELEBRATION, page 2