North Central College vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (9,278 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 Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

North Central College vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College 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 North Central College ($16,437 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 32% lower than at North Central College ($9,986 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 360.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $35,790 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.6% higher at North Central College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $24,014 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 480.7% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($34,056 vs. $5,865).

North Central College vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Central College (1180) is 30 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming North Central College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 1055/1310; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 31.1% at UNI.

North Central College vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College 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).

• University of Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from North Central College earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than North Central College graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Central College graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.