Iowa vs. Saint Louis University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Saint Louis University based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 17,059 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Saint Louis University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Saint Louis University 9:1.

Iowa vs. Saint Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Saint Louis 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 University of Iowa than Saint Louis University ($21,765 vs. $27,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 15.4% lower than at Saint Louis University ($12,920 vs. $15,280).
• Saint Louis University is 394.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $44,477 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.1% higher at Saint Louis University than at University of Iowa (about $22,389 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Louis University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Louis University students is 352.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($44,657 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Saint Louis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis University and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Louis University (1310) is 80 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Saint Louis University 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; Saint Louis University 1200/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Saint Louis University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Saint Louis University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Saint Louis University students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Iowa (3.81).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Saint Louis University (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 13.9% at Saint Louis University.

Iowa vs. Saint Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Saint Louis 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 Louis University's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Louis University earn a median of about $2,000 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,384 lower median loan debt than Saint Louis University graduates ($21,616 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Louis University graduates ($223 vs. $268).
• More Saint Louis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.