University of Northern Iowa - College of Business

Higher Education Business Schoolbusiness.uni.edu

The David W. Wilson College of Business is a public, AACSB-accredited business college at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It serves undergraduate, MBA, transfer, and international students through more than 20 programs, the proprietary Professional Readiness Program, and an AI/data-analytics-infused curriculum.

Company typePublic
Founded1876
HeadquartersCedar Falls, United States
Headcount—
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What University of Northern Iowa - College of Business does

The David W. Wilson College of Business is a constituent college of the University of Northern Iowa, a public state university governed by the Iowa Board of Regents and headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Previously named the College of Business Administration, it was renamed in honor of David W. Wilson and operates as part of UNI's academic structure. The college serves undergraduate, graduate, transfer, and international students through more than 20 undergraduate programs, an internationally recognized MBA, and the Professional Readiness Program (PRP) — a proprietary four-level curriculum-integrated professional development system spanning Business 1000 through Business 4000. Students are served across five academic departments: Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management, and Marketing and Entrepreneurship, with management housing dedicated Management Information Systems and Business Analytics majors and a new Artificial Intelligence emphasis track.

The college's product surface is anchored on data-driven business education: business analytics is infused across core courses (accounting auditing with big data, economics forecasting, supply chain predictive modeling, marketing analytics), supplemented by dedicated analytics and MIS majors. Supporting offerings include study abroad at six international partner universities and faculty-led programs in the UAE, Greece, London/Paris, and Thailand; professional certification preparation for CFA (with a 75% Level I pass rate, more than double the global average), CPA, CFP (only CFP Board-registered program in Iowa), CGBP, and the SIE exam; an Undergraduate Research Program with $750 awards; career services hosting 100+ employers biannually at the McLeod Center; and 20+ business-specific student organizations.

Revenue mechanics are those of a public state institution: primary tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate programs, supplemented by state appropriations (via UNI), private philanthropy through the Wilson Fund for Excellence and the Dean's Leadership Society (annual giving tiers from $1,000 to $10,000), in-kind support from the Wilson College Points Plus frequent-flyer partnership with American and United airlines, and revenue from competition prize purses and corporate-sponsored case competitions. AACSB accreditation (held by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide) and more than a decade of consecutive Princeton Review 'Best Business School' recognition underpin the college's market positioning, with a reported 98% career placement rate and 78% of graduates taking jobs in Iowa.

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business firmographics

Firmographics

Name: University of Northern Iowa - College of Business
Legal name: David W. Wilson College of Business
Website: https://business.uni.edu
Company type: Public
Founded year: 1876
Operating status: Operating
Short description: The David W. Wilson College of Business is a public, AACSB-accredited business college at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa. It serves undergraduate, MBA, transfer, and international students through more than 20 programs, the proprietary Professional Readiness Program, and an AI/data-analytics-infused curriculum.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business industry classification

Industry

Product category: Higher Education Business School
NAICS: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)
SIC: Services-Educational Services (8200)
akta.pro industry: PRIMARYEDAHAHAB
MBA & Executive MBA Programs
Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes
SECONDARYEDAHAHAA
Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs)
Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes
SECONDARYEDAHAHAN
Executive Education & Corporate Programs (Non-degree)
Education/Higher Education (Colleges & Universities)/Business Schools & Management Institutes
SECONDARYEDANAIAD
Accounting & Finance Certification Prep (CPA, CMA, CFA, FRM)
Education/Tutoring & Test Preparation/Professional Certification & Licensure Exam Prep

Keywords

Business education
Undergraduate business programs
Graduate business degrees
Professional readiness training
Business certification programs

Where University of Northern Iowa - College of Business is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: Cedar Falls
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

Tuition and Fees: As a public university college, the primary revenue comes from student tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate business programs.
Donations and Endowments: The Wilson Fund for Excellence and Dean's Leadership Society provide critical funding through alumni and friend donations supporting student experiences, professional credential programs, international experiences, and competitions.
Frequent Flyer Points Program: Wilson College Points Plus program collects matching frequent flyer miles from American and United airlines to support student international travel.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Other	Annual	Dean's Leadership Circle - $1,000 annual giving level
Other	Annual	Dean's Leadership Team - $5,000 annual giving level
Other	Annual	Dean's Leadership Cabinet - $10,000 annual giving level
Other	Pay-as-you-go	Study Abroad Scholarships
Other	Pay-as-you-go	Scholarship for Social Engagement

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business product offering

Product offering

Core offering

The David W. Wilson College of Business delivers undergraduate and graduate business education through over 20 degree programs and an MBA, augmented by the proprietary four-level Professional Readiness Program (PRP) for career and professional development. Data analytics is infused across all business disciplines, with dedicated Business Analytics and Management Information Systems majors. Ancillary offerings include study abroad at six partner universities, internship and career placement services with 100+ employer partners, professional certification preparation (CPA, CFA, CFP, CGBP, Microsoft Excel), and the Undergraduate Research Program.

Product overview

The David W. Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa offers a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and student services. The core offering consists of over 20 undergraduate programs and graduate degree programs (including an internationally recognized MBA), organized around departments: Accounting, Economics, Finance, Management (with Management Information Systems and Business Analytics emphases), and Marketing and Entrepreneurship. The Professional Readiness Program (PRP) provides a distinctive four-level professional development curriculum integrated throughout all programs. Data-focused business education is infused across the curriculum, with dedicated Business Analytics and MIS majors. Supporting offerings include study abroad programs at six international partner institutions, 20+ student organizations, academic competitions, internship/career services, professional certification preparation (CPA, CFA, CFP), and the Undergraduate Research Program. The Wilson Fund for Excellence provides scholarship support. AACSB accreditation underpins the academic quality of all programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Academic Business Programs (Undergraduate and MBA) Over 20 undergraduate programs and graduate degree programs including an internationally recognized MBA. Programs span majors, minors, and certifications in business disciplines including Accounting, Business Analytics, Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Real Estate.
Professional Readiness Program (PRP) A four-level curriculum (Business 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000) providing career and professional development training, including mentorship from industry professionals, soft and technical skills certification, and resume/interview preparation. Recognized by employers and AACSB for excellence.
Study Abroad Programs Semester and summer abroad programs at partner institutions in China (Shanghai Dianji University), Greece (American College of Greece), Italy (Florence University of the Arts), France (Rennes Business School), South Africa (Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University), and Spain (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona), plus faculty-led short-term programs to UAE, London & Paris, and Thailand.
Internship and Career Services Comprehensive career services including internship placement, job boards, campus recruiting, and career fairs with over 100 employers. Includes support for unpaid non-profit internships through the Wilson Business Scholarship for Social Engagement.
Professional Certification Preparation Preparation programs for professional credentials including CPA Exam Review, CFA Level I Review (75% pass rate, double the global average), CFP certification (only CFP Board registered college in Iowa), Certified Global Business Professional, and Microsoft Excel Specialist certification.
Undergraduate Research Program (URP) Program enhancing analytical skills and critical thinking where students conduct research under faculty supervision, receive $750 awards, present at seminars, and may submit research for publication or conference presentation.
Academic Competitions Competition-based learning opportunities including Accounting (Deloitte National Case Competition, IMA Student Case Competition), Entrepreneurship (Elevator Pitch, Pappajohn Venture Competition, e-Fest), Finance/Real Estate (NAIOP, CFA Research Challenge), International (NIBS, NASBITE CGBP), and other business competitions.
Business Analytics Major Business Analytics major teaches students to see trends, stories, predictions, and opportunities when interpreting data. Focuses on recommending business decisions using historical trends, predictive modeling, and scenario testing. Graduates achieve 100% career placement.
Management Information Systems (MIS) Major Major focusing on analyzing business needs and applying computing technology to develop solutions to business problems. Includes emphasis areas in Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.

Quantifiable outcome

98% career placement rate - highest of any public business college in Iowa
+6 more outcomes

Companies that use University of Northern Iowa - College of Business

Customer profile

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Shanghai Dianji University (SDJU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in China for semester and summer study abroad programs. Located in Shanghai, offering courses in English. UNI holds articulation agreements and liaison support through Lorraine Bratvold for SDJU students.
American College of Greece (ACG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in Athens, Greece for summer and semester study abroad. Full list of courses based on U.S. business curriculum readily transferable to UNI.
Florence University of the ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in Florence, Italy offering certifications in sports management or retail fashion management. Two 6-week sessions starting mid-May and mid-June.
Rennes Business SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriple-accredited business school in Brittany, France. Two-hour train ride from Paris. Full range of semester-long business courses transferable to UNI.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in Port Elizabeth, South Africa offering July summer program combining business courses with community service projects.
Universitat Autonoma de BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRanked best university in Spain in 2016. Offers 6-week session starting early June with business and international business courses, plus 4-week May term.
American AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner airline for Wilson College Points Plus program. Frequent flyers can contribute miles to Wilson College student travel by adding Business ExtrAA account number 831039.
United AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner airline for Wilson College Points Plus program. Frequent flyers can contribute miles to Wilson College student travel by adding RewardOne account number B3355.
Assumption University (Thailand)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost university for Thailand faculty-led study abroad program. Itinerary includes site visits to Thai and international companies, workshops, and cultural excursions.
NASBITE InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWilson College students prepared for Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) certification through Global Trade Practices course. UNI students outperform peers on NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional exams.
CFA InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFA Review for-credit course builds knowledge for CFA Level I Examination. Scholarships available covering majority of exam cost. Wilson Business students' 75% pass rate is more than double the global average.
CFP BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly CFP board registered college in Iowa. Wilson Business meets educational requirements for CFP certification allowing students to take exam immediately after graduation.
DeloittecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Deloitte National Case Competition (DNCC) - one of the premier business competitions for students. UNI students participate in this complex business challenge.
Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of IMA Student Case Competition challenging student teams to apply management accounting knowledge to real-world business scenarios.
NAIOP (Commercial Real Estate Development Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts annual University Challenge competition for real estate students. UNI teams act as development consultants presenting highest and best-use solutions.
Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes Community Bank Case Study Competition. UNI students engage in experiential learning networking with local banks, CSBS staff, and academics.
Network of International Business Schools (NIBS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual case analysis competition testing problem solving, decision making, and presentation skills. UNI team has competed in New Zealand, Montreal, Newfoundland and France.
John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts Elevator Pitch Competition and Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition with awards totaling $100,000. Also supports Pappajohn Student Entrepreneurial Venture Competition.
Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization for elevator pitch competition. UNI winner advances to CEO annual conference competition with three national winners selected.
Schulze School of EntrepreneurshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of e-Fest competition inviting undergraduate student entrepreneurs to showcase ventures for prizes up to $25,000.
McKinsey & CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch cited on Business Analytics page showing companies using data analytics experience average higher financial profits, validating demand for business analysts.
PayScaleminorOthersSalary data provider cited for Business Analytics careers - $136k median mid-career salary and $62k average starting salary (2024).
Bureau of Labor StatisticsminorOthersSource cited for 35% job growth projection for data scientist jobs - expected to grow much faster than national average for next 10 years (2024).

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Broad incumbents

Indiana University Kelley School of Business: Highly ranked public business school with strong online MBA and undergraduate programs; sets the benchmark for career placement and corporate recruiting that Wilson's metrics are measured against.
University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management: Upper Midwest public AACSB business school offering undergraduate, MBA, and analytics programs; competes with Wilson for regional talent and corporate employer relationships.
University of Illinois Gies College of Business: Top-ranked public Big Ten AACSB business college; broader portfolio and stronger national brand but overlapping program mix (undergraduate, MBA, analytics) makes it a relevant incumbent comparison.
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business: Big Ten public AACSB business school with undergraduate, MBA, and specialized masters; relevant comparator for placement, certification pathways, and Big Ten employer pipelines.

Direct peers

W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University: Large public AACSB-accredited business school with substantial online programs; comparable in offering undergraduate, MBA, and professional certifications at scale, and a reference point for digital expansion.
Drake University College of Business and Public Administration: Private university in Des Moines offering AACSB-accredited undergraduate and graduate business programs; competes with Wilson for Iowa-based students seeking smaller, private business education.
University of Iowa Tippie College of Business: Big Ten AACSB-accredited public business school in Iowa offering undergraduate, MBA, and specialized masters; primary in-state competitor for Iowa applicants and corporate recruiters.
Iowa State University College of Business: In-state public university business college in Iowa offering undergraduate, MBA, and professional certifications; directly competes with Wilson for Iowa students, faculty, and employer recruiting.

Emerging players

Western Governors University Business College: Online competency-based university with large business degree enrollment; comparable in offering accredited, affordable, online business education to working adults and signals shifting competitive dynamics.
Southern New Hampshire University Business Programs: Large private non-profit with a fast-growing online business portfolio; demonstrates the digital scaling path Wilson has not yet pursued and represents a competitive threat for non-traditional learners.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance1 record

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about University of Northern Iowa - College of Business

What does University of Northern Iowa - College of Business do?

Is University of Northern Iowa - College of Business a public or private company?

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was University of Northern Iowa - College of Business founded?

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business was founded in 1876.

Where is University of Northern Iowa - College of Business based?

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business is headquartered in Cedar Falls, United States, in the North America region.

How does University of Northern Iowa - College of Business make money?

Three revenue lines are on record. Tuition and Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Endowments and frequent Flyer Points Program.

Who are University of Northern Iowa - College of Business's main competitors?

Broad incumbents on record are Indiana University Kelley School of Business, University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management, University of Illinois Gies College of Business and University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business. Direct peers are W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University, Drake University College of Business and Public Administration, University of Iowa Tippie College of Business and Iowa State University College of Business. Emerging players are Western Governors University Business College and Southern New Hampshire University Business Programs.

Does University of Northern Iowa - College of Business have an API?

No public API is recorded for University of Northern Iowa - College of Business.

What industry is University of Northern Iowa - College of Business in?

University of Northern Iowa - College of Business's product category is Higher Education Business School. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAHAB, MBA & Executive MBA Programs, with a secondary code of EDAHAHAA, Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.