IU vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

IU vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU 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 IU ($16,437 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 28.6% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($9,986 vs. $13,984).
• Indiana University Bloomington is 22.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $2,208 more per year; $12,144.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.9% higher at IU than at University of Northern Iowa (about $20,179 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at Indiana University Bloomington (83% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students is 78.8% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($10,487 vs. $5,865).

IU vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU 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 IU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 140 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming IU students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 27/33; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than IU (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at IU vs. 31.1% at UNI.

IU vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU 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).

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than IU graduates ($20,625 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IU graduates ($213 vs. $232).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.