Holy Cross College vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, IN 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 Holy Cross College based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holy Cross College is located in Notre Dame, IN (Large Suburban setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Holy Cross College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holy Cross College 13:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

Holy Cross College vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holy Cross College 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 Holy Cross College ($16,437 vs. $22,421).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 21.4% lower than at Holy Cross College ($9,986 vs. $12,700).
• Holy Cross College is 268.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $26,664 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.6% higher at Holy Cross College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $14,888 more per year; $36,600.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at Holy Cross College (83% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Holy Cross College students is 384.5% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($28,416 vs. $5,865).

Holy Cross College vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holy Cross College 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 Holy Cross College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 10 points higher than at Holy Cross College (1140).
• Incoming Holy Cross College students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 980/1300; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Holy Cross College 23/31; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holy Cross College - Test-free; UNI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Holy Cross College Jul 28, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Holy Cross College (3.2).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Holy Cross College (75.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.5% at Holy Cross College vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Holy Cross College vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holy Cross College 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 Holy Cross College's (13%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Holy Cross College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $43,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Holy Cross College graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Holy Cross College graduates ($213 vs. $239).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holy Cross College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 64%)

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.