McKendree University vs. Iowa

Should I go to McKendree University or University of Iowa? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if McKendree University or Iowa is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

ISU IU Purdue University of Missouri-Columbia Nebraska UNI Wisconsin Illinois Miami Minnesota Michigan State Marquette University
McKendree University vs. University of Iowa comparison
McKendree University University of Iowa College 3 College 4
McKendree University University of Iowa
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

McKendree University Iowa
Location Lebanon, IL Iowa City, IA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 1,960 30,015
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #607 #224
Religious Affiliation United Methodist - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website mckendree.edu uiowa.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

McKendree University Iowa
Tuition (In State) $32,020 $8,711
Tuition (Out of State) $32,020 $30,674
Room & Board $11,590 $11,476
Avg Net Price $22,431 $19,587
Avg Grant Aid $24,145 $9,959
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 82%

Admission

McKendree University Iowa
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 2,332 25,729
Admitted 1,594 22,128
Acceptance Rate 68.4% 86%
Enrolled % 26.5% 23.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.38 3.81
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 18/28 22/28
SAT Range 871/1277 1130/1340
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025

Academics

McKendree University Iowa
Student to Faculty Ratio 17:1 16:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (37%)
  • Health Professions (24%)
  • Education (13%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Psychology (4%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Communication (8%)

Outcomes

McKendree University Iowa
Graduation Rate 54% 71%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $48,300 $59,800
Making Student Loan Payments 58% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,250 $21,616
Median Loan Payment $240 $223

Diversity

McKendree University Iowa
% Men 46% 44%
% Women 54% 56%
Racial Diversity Medium Medium
HBCU No No
% White 68% 67%
% Black 14% 3%
% Hispanic 5% 7%
% Native American 1% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 2% 12%
% Unknown Race 7% 4%

Students

McKendree University Iowa
% In-State 48% 54%
% Out-of-State 27% 45%

Campus

McKendree University Iowa
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Iowa is larger than than McKendree University based on total student enrollment (30,015 students vs. 1,960 students)

McKendree University vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, McKendree University or Iowa?

  • McKendree University is 267.6% more expensive to attend than Iowa for in-state tuition ($32,020.00 vs. $8,711.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 4.4% higher at McKendree University than University of Iowa ($32,020.00 vs. $30,674.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Iowa than McKendree University ($19,587 vs. $22,431)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 1% lower than costs at McKendree University ($11,476 vs. $11,590)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at McKendree University than University of Iowa (100% vs. 82%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by McKendree University students is 142.4% larger than aid received University of Iowa ($24,145 vs. $9,959)

McKendree University vs. Iowa Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, McKendree University or Iowa? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Iowa or McKendree University .

  • The average SAT score at University of Iowa (1164) is 158 points higher than at McKendree University (1006)
  • Incoming Iowa students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (26) than students at McKendree University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at McKendree University (3.38)
  • Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than McKendree University (68.4%)

McKendree University vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, McKendree University or Iowa? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Iowa and McKendree University.

  • The graduation rate at Iowa is higher than McKendree University (71% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from University of Iowa earn on average $11,500 more per year than McKendree University graduates after ten years. ($59,800 vs. $48,300)
  • University of Iowa students graduate with a $1,634 lower median federal student loan debt than McKendree University graduates. ($21,616 vs. $23,250)
  • Iowa graduates are paying $17 less per month on federal student loans than McKendree University graduates. ($223 vs. $240)
  • More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former McKendree University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 58%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/