Bradley vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Bradley University in Peoria, 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 Bradley based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 4,777 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Bradley University is located in Peoria, IL (Midsize City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Bradley University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Bradley University 11:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Bradley vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Bradley 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 Bradley ($21,765 vs. $23,787).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 4.3% lower than at Bradley University ($12,920 vs. $13,500).
• Bradley University is 273.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $30,877 more per year; $42,160.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at Bradley than at University of Iowa (about $8,789 more per year; $42,160.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Bradley University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Bradley University students is 212.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($30,808 vs. $9,865).

Bradley vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Bradley or Iowa? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Iowa and Bradley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 30 points higher than at Bradley (1200).
• Incoming Bradley students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 1090/1300; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Bradley University 25/31; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Bradley - Test-free; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Bradley students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Bradley (76.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at Bradley vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Bradley vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Bradley and Iowa? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Bradley University's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Bradley graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $56,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Bradley graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Bradley graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Bradley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 70%)

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.