North Central College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, 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 North Central College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

North Central College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College 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 North Central College ($21,765 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 12% lower than at North Central College ($12,920 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 305.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $34,443 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37% higher at North Central College than at University of Iowa (about $12,355 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 245.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($34,056 vs. $9,865).

North Central College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College 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 North Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 50 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

North Central College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College 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 North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than North Central College graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Central College graduates ($223 vs. $258).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.