Iowa vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Hope College is in Holland, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Hope College 9:1.

Iowa vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Hope College? 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 Hope College ($21,765 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 0.2% lower than at Hope College ($12,920 vs. $12,950).
• Hope College is 272% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $30,687 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.8% higher at Hope College than at University of Iowa (about $8,599 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at University of Iowa (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 152.9% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($24,945 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 10 points higher than at Hope College (1220).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

Iowa vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Hope College? 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.