IIT vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Illinois Institute of Technology 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 IIT based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 8,834 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

IIT vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 IIT ($21,765 vs. $24,796).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 25.6% lower than at Illinois Institute of Technology ($12,920 vs. $17,356).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is 364.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $41,103 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57% higher at IIT than at University of Iowa (about $19,015 more per year; $52,386.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students is 351.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($44,547 vs. $9,865).

IIT vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Illinois Institute of Technology (1310) is 80 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming IIT students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IIT students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.84) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than IIT (54.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

IIT vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Illinois Institute of Technology earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($79,300 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More IIT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.