UNI's FY23 Appropriations Request
At UNI, we are focused on preparing graduates for Iowa’s future workforce. One of the most distinctive benefits about UNI is that 90% of our students come from Iowa, 85% of our graduates from Iowa stay in the state to work after earning their degrees, and half of our non-resident graduates remain in Iowa to contribute to our workforce. UNI’s high job placement rates in Iowa lead to a strong return on taxpayer investment.
According to Iowa Workforce Development workforce projections, the top ten occupations that require a baccalaureate degree are in education, business, finance, community services and healthcare. With academic programs and partnerships that prepare graduates in each of these areas, UNI is preparing the workforce Iowa needs for a vibrant future.
UNI is committed to student success and upholding our public charge to be open and accessible. Our budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2023 of an additional $4 million investment from the state will enable us to increase enrollment by keeping tuition and fees affordable and competitive while providing a high-quality education. The FY 2023 state appropriations request is to support UNI’s focus on preparing Iowa’s future-ready workforce.
UNI academic programs and curriculum align directly with Iowa’s most in-demand occupations, including education, business, and finance. UNI also retains the vast majority of its graduates in Iowa to work and/or pursue advanced study. Funding general operations at UNI ensures our commitment to quality, affordability, and access for Iowans. UNI requests an additional $4 million to support the following strategic initiatives.
Tuition Differentiation.
UNI must continue our effort to realign tuition and mandatory fees with our regional comprehensive peers, which average $2,820 less in tuition and mandatory fees compared to the Research-1 institutions in their states. UNI is now $735 less expensive than the average undergraduate resident tuition and mandatory fees at Iowa’s Research-1 universities (Iowa and Iowa State)
Student Accessibility.
UNI’s efforts to help students plan for an affordable education is a key component to remaining accessible for Iowans. The additional state investment is critical to helping UNI hold tuition flat for the 2022-2023 academic year, enabling the university to grow enrollment and honor the second year of the negotiated contract for employee salary increases.
Student Graduation and Retention.
Graduation rates for UNI students are at record levels and are uniquely strong - nearly 20 percentage points higher than those of similar universities. One in 14 UNI students graduated in just three years. UNI has increased its four-year graduation rate by 16 percentage points—from 29% to 45% since 1997 and the vast majority of UNI students graduate within five years.