Blackburn College vs. UIU

Comparable Facts

Compare Blackburn College in Carlinville, IL with Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Upper Iowa University is larger than Blackburn College based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 513 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Blackburn College is located in Carlinville, IL (Rural Fringe setting); Upper Iowa University is in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting).
• Blackburn College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Blackburn College 11:1; Upper Iowa University 25:1.

Blackburn College vs. UIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Blackburn College or UIU? 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 Blackburn College than UIU ($18,460 vs. $20,426).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Blackburn College are 2% lower than at Upper Iowa University ($9,915 vs. $10,121).
• Blackburn College is 44.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $8,674 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.5% higher at Blackburn College than at Upper Iowa University (about $8,674 more per year; $28,149.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Blackburn College than at Upper Iowa University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Blackburn College students is 43.1% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($19,456 vs. $13,596).

Blackburn College vs. UIU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Blackburn College or UIU? 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 UIU and Blackburn College.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Upper Iowa University (1070) is 60 points higher than at Blackburn College (1010).
• Incoming Blackburn College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (20 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Blackburn College 888/1125; Upper Iowa University 970/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Blackburn College 16/24; Upper Iowa University 14/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Blackburn College - Test-free; UIU - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman UIU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at Blackburn College (3.23).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Blackburn College (63.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.7% at Blackburn College vs. 33.9% at UIU.

Blackburn College vs. UIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Blackburn College and UIU? 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.

• Blackburn College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Upper Iowa University earn a median of about $1,700 more per year than Blackburn College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $40,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Blackburn College graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Blackburn College graduates ($248 vs. $268).
• More Blackburn College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (58% vs. 50%)

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.