Iowa vs. Kalamazoo College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Kalamazoo College is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Kalamazoo College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Kalamazoo College 10:1.

Iowa vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College ($21,765 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 2.9% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,549 vs. $12,920).
• Kalamazoo College is 441.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $49,767 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.9% higher at Kalamazoo College than at University of Iowa (about $27,679 more per year; $61,050.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at University of Iowa (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Kalamazoo College students is 379% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($47,252 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Kalamazoo College (1280) is 50 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Kalamazoo College (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Kalamazoo College 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Kalamazoo College 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Kalamazoo College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Kalamazoo College (3.73).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Kalamazoo College (75.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 11.7% at Kalamazoo College.

Iowa vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Kalamazoo 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).

• Kalamazoo College's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $5,400 more per year than Kalamazoo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,834 lower median loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates ($21,616 vs. $26,450).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kalamazoo College graduates ($223 vs. $273).
• More Kalamazoo College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.