Iowa-ISU Fall Enrollments Up while UNI Sees Student Numbers Drop

The students are back on campus at Iowa's Big Three Universities and the 2022 Fall Semester classrooms are a little more full in Iowa City and Ames but a little less crowded in Cedar Falls.

The enrollment numbers have been updated, with the University of Iowa claiming the distinction of having the state's most prominent student body. 

While Iowa State had the honor for the past decade, the Hawkeye campus now reports a higher enrollment for the first time since 2012. 

This fall, The University of Iowa reports an enrollment of 30,015 students. That's a slight increase of just over 100 additional students. Still, it's enough to surpass Iowa State University's reported 2022 Fall enrollment of 29,969. 

About 58 percent of the Freshman Hawkeye class, or 2,801, are Iowa residents, and about 4 percent (185) are international students. The class represents 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties, 43 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and 43 countries.

New student enrollment at Iowa State University is up, with 7,986 new students enrolling for Fall 2022. This includes 5,728 first-year students, an increase of 341 compared to Fall 2021. This fall, 16,696 Iowans are attending Iowa State  or 55.7% of the student body.

Meanwhile, the University of Northern Iowa saw another dip in enrollment numbers in Cedar Falls as first-year students dropped eight percent compared to 2021. 

The University of Northern Iowa welcomed an incoming class of 2,200 freshmen and transfer students this fall and has a total Fall Semester enrollment of 8,949. UNI's has students from all 99 Iowa counties, 43 U.S. states and 51 countries across the globe. 

A previous story highlighting the high cost of Iowa's top private colleges also explored the expense of attending Iowa's three state universities. Story Link

According to the Univesity of Iowa website, Iowa residents will pay approximately. 

• Tuition & fees $10,353
• Housing & meals $11,476

Total billed expenses $21,829

OTHER ESTIMATED EXPENSES

• Books & Supplies $950
• Personal expenses $3,078
• Transportation $1,026

Total Estimated Expenses $5,054

TOTAL COST $26,833

Iowa State University comes in slightly lower at $23,472, while the University of Northern Iowa estimates an even lower $21,294 price tag.