1/25/2022

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The online undergraduate programs at Upper Iowa University (UIU) are once again ranked among the top online bachelor degree programs nationwide by U.S. News and World Report. The recognition also includes being ranked among the best online programs for veterans.

“UIU is honored that our online programs are continually recognized at the national level,” UIU President William R. Duffy II said. “In our experience, online education is key to providing accessible higher education and lifelong learning to all students seeking to attain an Education Built for Life. UIU has been providing online education for more than 20 years and has graduated thousands of students from our program who have become successful in their careers – and that is the true test of any academic institution.”

Since its inception in 1857, UIU’s unwavering commitment to accessible higher education and lifelong learning ensures that current and future UIU students are provided with the skills they need to be successful in the classroom, career and life. A private, nonprofit university, UIU provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs to about 4,500 students at over 20 U.S. education locations, including its main Fayette Campus.

Students have more than 35 in-demand majors to choose from, and all utilize a unique, flexible course schedule.  Each academic year consists of five 8-week sessions and one accelerated 6-week summer session, so UIU students typically take less classes at a time. Other students get a jump on completion by transferring in up to 90 undergraduate credits or 12 graduate credits from other schools. Credits may also be earned via an experiential learning portfolio or various college examinations.

UIU recently announced the Transfer Connection and Partner Connection scholarships for students and employees at schools engaged in articulation agreements with UIU. A Transfer Connection Scholarship of up to $1,500 annually is available to new center and online students earning an associate degree from a UIU partner school. Meanwhile, the Partner Connection Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time employees at community college and technical college partners, and reduces tuition by up to $250 per course.

The announcement of the Transfer Connection and Partner Connection scholarships came on the heels of the Peacock Promise tuition award recently announced for new UIU Fayette Campus students. This program will make college free for many Iowa students, turning the $6,800 Iowa Tuition Grant into a 32,589 tuition award for those eligible at Fayette Campus.

A participating institution in the Principles of Excellence and Yellow Ribbon programs, UIU has also been named a top Military-Friendly School or University by VIQTORY, Military Advanced Education and G.I. Jobs on multiple occasions. UIU offers students the options of online, self-paced, and learning center classrooms at select military locations. Academic advisors are located at NSB New London, Connecticut; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas; NAS Meridian, Mississippi; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley, Kansas; and Fort Polk and Jackson Barracks (New Orleans), Louisiana.

For over a decade, UIU has successfully utilized tuition assistance in an effort to provide the nation’s servicemembers an affordable higher education. Most recently, to further assist the entire military family achieve their academic and career goals, UIU announced the creation of the Military Family Grant. The grant is available for all eligible spouses and dependents of active duty, reserve and National Guard service members, The University also accepts tuition assistance, veteran’s educational benefits, scholarships and Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts.

The factors U.S. News selected to make comparisons between programs were not measures like high school class rank or standardized test scores. Instead, U.S. News chose factors that weigh how these programs are being delivered and their effectiveness at awarding affordable degrees in a reasonable amount of time.

The factors U.S. News selected to make comparisons between programs did not include measures only applicable to teenage applicants, such as high school grades and standardized test scores. Instead, U.S. News chose factors that weigh how these programs are being delivered and their effectiveness at awarding affordable degrees in a reasonable amount of time. To determine the 2022 rankings, schools were evaluated on their scores for student engagement, student services and technology, faculty credentials and training, and expert opinions of high-ranking peer academic officials.

The complete U.S News and World Report rankings can be viewed at usnews.com/online. Additional information about UIU and its academic programs, can be viewed at uiu.edu.