DePaul vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, 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 DePaul based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 21,210 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

DePaul vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul 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 DePaul ($21,765 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 32.3% lower than at DePaul University ($12,920 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 307.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $34,716 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.8% higher at DePaul than at University of Iowa (about $12,628 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 196.9% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($29,285 vs. $9,865).

DePaul vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul 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 DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 10 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming DePaul 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: DePaul University 1140/1330; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at DePaul (3.8).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

DePaul vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than DePaul graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,716 lower median loan debt than DePaul graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,332).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePaul graduates ($223 vs. $241).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 62%)

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.