Iowa vs. Michigan Tech

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Michigan Tech based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 7,403 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Michigan Technological University 13:1.

Iowa vs. Michigan Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University than Iowa ($16,879 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 1% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($12,920 vs. $13,050).
• Michigan Technological University is 69.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $7,840 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.8% higher at Michigan Tech than at University of Iowa (about $9,617 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at University of Iowa (99% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 101.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($19,898 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Michigan Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Michigan Technological University (1240) is 10 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Michigan Tech 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; Michigan Technological University 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Michigan Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Michigan Tech (3.78).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 12.9% at Michigan Tech.

Iowa vs. Michigan Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,284 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($21,616 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($223 vs. $278).
• More Michigan Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.