Idaho vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Idaho is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (12,286 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Idaho vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Idaho 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 Idaho than UNI ($15,111 vs. $16,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 11.2% lower than at University of Idaho ($9,986 vs. $11,243).
• University of Northern Iowa is 9.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Idaho (about $852 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $9,084.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.4% higher at Idaho than at University of Northern Iowa (about $6,608 more per year; $28,320.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Idaho than at University of Northern Iowa (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Idaho students is 114.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($12,568 vs. $5,865).

Idaho vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Idaho 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 Idaho.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 40 points higher than at Idaho (1110).
• Incoming Idaho students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 990/1230; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Idaho 20/26; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Idaho - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Idaho (3.47).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Idaho (75.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.9% at Idaho vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Idaho vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Idaho 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 University of Idaho's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $800 more per year than Idaho graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $46,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $3,654 lower median loan debt than Idaho graduates ($20,625 vs. $24,279).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Idaho graduates ($213 vs. $251).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Idaho students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 61%)

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.