Iowa vs. St. Cloud State University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Saint Cloud State University in Saint Cloud, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than St. Cloud State University based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 10,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Saint Cloud State University is in Saint Cloud, MN (Small City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Cloud State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Saint Cloud State University 18:1.

Iowa vs. St. Cloud State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or St. Cloud State University? 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 Saint Cloud State University than Iowa ($14,735 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Cloud State University are 18% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,596 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 10.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Cloud State University (about $1,038 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 225.7% higher at Iowa than at Saint Cloud State University (about $23,126 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $10,245.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Cloud State University than at University of Iowa (84% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 40.2% larger than aid received by Saint Cloud State University students ($9,865 vs. $7,036).

Iowa vs. St. Cloud State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or St. Cloud State University? 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 St. Cloud State University and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 90 points higher than at St. Cloud State University (1140).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at St. Cloud State University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Saint Cloud State University 1025/1260.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Saint Cloud State University 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; St. Cloud State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; St. Cloud State University Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at St. Cloud State University (3.4).
• St. Cloud State University has a higher acceptance rate (94.8%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 16.6% at St. Cloud State University.

Iowa vs. St. Cloud State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and St. Cloud State University? 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 Saint Cloud State University's (48%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $13,100 more per year than St. Cloud State University graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $46,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $884 lower median loan debt than St. Cloud State University graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Cloud State University graduates ($223 vs. $232).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Cloud State University students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.