DePaul vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare DePaul University in Chicago, IL with University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

DePaul University is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (21,210 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• DePaul University is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• DePaul University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: DePaul University 17:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

DePaul vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DePaul or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than DePaul ($16,437 vs. $34,135).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 47.7% lower than at DePaul University ($9,986 vs. $19,095).
• DePaul University is 363% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $36,063 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.9% higher at DePaul than at University of Northern Iowa (about $24,287 more per year; $45,999.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePaul University than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by DePaul University students is 399.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($29,285 vs. $5,865).

DePaul vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, DePaul or UNI? 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 UNI and DePaul.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at DePaul University (1240) is 90 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming DePaul students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 1140/1330; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: DePaul University 25/31; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DePaul - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: DePaul Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePaul students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.8) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than DePaul (75.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.8% at DePaul vs. 31.1% at UNI.

DePaul vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DePaul and UNI? 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than DePaul University's (66%).
• Graduates from DePaul University earn a median of about $9,200 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $2,707 lower median loan debt than DePaul graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,332).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePaul graduates ($213 vs. $241).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePaul students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.