IU vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Bloomington is located in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Bloomington 18:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

IU vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU 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 Indiana University Bloomington than Iowa ($17,270 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 7.6% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($12,920 vs. $13,984).
• Indiana University Bloomington is 7.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $861 more per year; $12,144.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.5% higher at IU than at University of Iowa (about $8,520 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at Indiana University Bloomington (76% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students is 6.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($10,487 vs. $9,865).

IU vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU 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 IU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 60 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming IU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 27/33; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at IU (3.74).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than IU (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at IU vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

IU vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU 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).

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than IU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $56,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $884 lower median loan debt than IU graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU graduates ($223 vs. $232).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.