Dort vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Dort based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Dordt 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: Dordt University 14:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Dort vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dort 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 Dort ($16,437 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 15.2% lower than at Dordt University ($9,986 vs. $11,770).
• Dordt University is 272.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $27,114 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.6% higher at Dort than at University of Northern Iowa (about $15,338 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dordt University than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dordt University students is 296.9% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($23,277 vs. $5,865).

Dort vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dort 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 Dort.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dordt University (1200) is 50 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Dort students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 1070/1330; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 21/29; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dort - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Dort students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Dort (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at Dort vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Dort vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dort 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 Dordt University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Dort graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $2,375 lower median loan debt than Dort graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dort graduates ($213 vs. $237).
• More Dort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (90% vs. 72%)

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.