Iowa vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Loras College is in Dubuque, IA (Small City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loras College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Loras College 12:1.

Iowa vs. Loras College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Loras 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 Loras College than Iowa ($21,631 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loras College are 14.9% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,000 vs. $12,920).
• Loras College is 253% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $28,541 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Loras College than at University of Iowa (about $6,453 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 192.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($28,835 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Loras College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Loras College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Loras College (3.48).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 18.6% at Loras College.

Iowa vs. Loras College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Loras 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Loras College's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Loras College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.