Iowa vs. Lawrence

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Lawrence based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,417 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Lawrence University is in Appleton, WI (Small City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Lawrence University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Lawrence University 7:1.

Iowa vs. Lawrence Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Lawrence? 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 Lawrence ($21,765 vs. $27,161).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Lawrence University are 5.8% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,165 vs. $12,920).
• Lawrence University is 405% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $45,699 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70.8% higher at Lawrence than at University of Iowa (about $23,611 more per year; $56,982.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lawrence University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Lawrence University students is 332.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($42,688 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Lawrence Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Lawrence University (1310) is 80 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Lawrence students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Lawrence University 1200/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Lawrence University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Lawrence - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Lawrence Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Lawrence (3.52).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Lawrence (63.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 16.8% at Lawrence.

Iowa vs. Lawrence Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Lawrence? 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).

• Lawrence University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than Lawrence graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,734 lower median loan debt than Lawrence graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,350).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lawrence graduates ($223 vs. $282).
• More Lawrence graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.