Upper Iowa University ranked in top tier for education during pandemic

Fayette, IA (05/20/2020) — Upper Iowa University (UIU) is ranked in the top tier of four-year schools by Educate to Career (ETC). A nonprofit organization, ETC's newest rankings address college planning during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. UIU is among only five Iowa private colleges and universities ranked in the tier one rankings. Complete rankings can be viewed at www.jobsearchintelligence.com/etc/college-rankings-2020-update.

ETC based their COVID-19 economic crisis tier rankings on the following criteria:

Tier 1 - The public/private education institution has the systems required to deliver full curriculum online and in-classroom. College also has a minimum of three years of experience in delivering online curriculum.

Tier 2 - The institution has the systems required to deliver curriculum online and in-classroom. However, college faculty has less experience in delivering online curriculum than tier 1 colleges.

Tier 3 - The institution strongly emphasizes in-classroom education over online teaching, and may not offer full curriculum online.

Tier 4 - The institution has limited systems and experience in delivering online curriculum.

"UIU has historically provided quality educational programs, courses, services and opportunities to help individuals achieve their educational goals in life," said UIU president William R. Duffy II. "During these uncertain times with COVID-19, and also during the challenges individuals experience in life, UIU takes great pride in its unique history of bringing education to our students that best fits their needs, or as it is better stated in our logo, providing an 'Education Built for Life.'"

UIU began extending its educational opportunities in 1973 by establishing an external degree program (paper based) for individuals with jobs, raising a family, or in the military, who were unable to afford or attend college fulltime. In 1981, UIU began opening education centers within the US and abroad. In 1999, UIU initiated its online offerings, and in 2011 UIU became one of Zoom's initial partners, to once again expand UIU's ability to provide quality educational opportunities.

"I can proudly say, with 47 years of distance learning, 21 years offering online education, 11 years of Zoom experience, and six sessions per year to enable students to enroll and achieve their educational goals, there are very few colleges or universities in the United States, if any, that possesses this type of distance learning experience, " Duffy said. "Over the past 47 years, many thousands of UIU graduates have achieved their educational goals through distance learning and enjoyed extremely successful careers - and that is the true testament to any successful academic program and university."

As COVID-19 continues to impact those who wish to start or continue their pursuit of higher education, UIU has risen to the challenge in multiple ways. For example, the University's Fayette Campus is offering virtual tours, helping students save money through a significantly reduced deposit, and amended testing and transcript procedures to accommodate those who are having difficulties accessing testing sites and official transcripts due to the pandemic. The University also continues to enhance the academic resources and student support that were already available to its online learners.

UIU most recently transitioned all Session 5 face-to-face and hybrid courses online due to COVID-19. The University continues to make plans for fall semester by working directly with local, state and federal public health officials to ensure that the way forward is done with the safety and well-being of all students in mind.

A private, nonprofit university, UIU provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs to about 5,200 students - nationally and internationally - at its Fayette, Iowa, Campus, 21 U.S. education locations in Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin, as well as a location in Hong Kong.

"In addition to providing a high-quality education, UIU has competitive tuition and highly skilled professionals to help students understand and make the most of financial aid," UIU interim provost Gail Moorman Behrens said. "Many students are eligible for endowed or institutional scholarships to further lower the cost of their UIU education."

Students who are completing a two-year degree at another college are encouraged to inquire about UIU's new transfer tuition scholarship program; eligible students earn a scholarship of up to $19,750. In addition, UIU's Corporate Advantage Partnership program provides tuition grants and other benefits to employees of participating companies.

The University also offers a wide variety of educational opportunities tailored to fit the dynamic lifestyle of today's military personnel and their families. Assistance is readily available to students and the University's total military family who need help navigating all of UIU's resources. For additional information about UIU, visit uiu.edu.

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