Iowa vs. Carthage

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Carthage College in Kenosha, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Carthage based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 2,844 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Carthage College is in Kenosha, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Carthage College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Carthage College 14:1.

Iowa vs. Carthage Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Carthage? 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 Carthage ($21,765 vs. $27,066).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3.9% lower than at Carthage College ($12,920 vs. $13,450).
• Carthage College is 243.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $27,467 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.1% higher at Carthage than at University of Iowa (about $5,379 more per year; $38,750.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Carthage College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Carthage College students is 141.1% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($23,784 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Carthage Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or Carthage? 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 Carthage and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 130 points higher than at Carthage (1100).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Carthage).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Carthage College 1000/1205.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Carthage College 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Carthage - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Carthage (3.36).
• Carthage has a higher acceptance rate (87.1%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 11.3% at Carthage.

Iowa vs. Carthage Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Carthage? 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 Carthage College's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,000 more per year than Carthage graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Carthage graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Carthage graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Carthage graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.