Benedictine University vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Benedictine University in Lisle, IL with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Benedictine University based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 2,917 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Benedictine University is located in Lisle, IL (Large Suburban setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Benedictine University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Benedictine University 15:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Benedictine University vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Benedictine University or Iowa? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Iowa than Benedictine University ($21,765 vs. $23,139).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Benedictine University are 16% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,850 vs. $12,920).
• Benedictine University is 218.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $24,657 more per year; $35,940.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.7% higher at Benedictine University than at University of Iowa (about $2,569 more per year; $35,940.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Benedictine University than at University of Iowa (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Benedictine University students is 132.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($22,911 vs. $9,865).

Benedictine University vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Benedictine University or Iowa? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Iowa and Benedictine University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 60 points higher than at Benedictine University (1170).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Benedictine University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Benedictine University 1050/1280; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Benedictine University 19/28; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Benedictine University - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Iowa students have a 0.55 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Benedictine University (3.26).
• Benedictine University has a higher acceptance rate (95.2%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Benedictine University vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Benedictine University vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Benedictine University and Iowa? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Benedictine University's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than Benedictine University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $52,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $684 lower median loan debt than Benedictine University graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,300).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedictine University graduates ($223 vs. $230).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Benedictine University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.