Iowa vs. Stephens College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Stephens College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 568 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Stephens College is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stephens College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Stephens College 8:1.

Iowa vs. Stephens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Stephens 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 University of Iowa than Stephens College ($21,765 vs. $23,194).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3.3% lower than at Stephens College ($12,920 vs. $13,366).
• Stephens College is 150.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $17,017 more per year; $28,300.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at Iowa than at Stephens College (about $5,071 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $28,300.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stephens College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stephens College students is 136.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($23,341 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Stephens College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 30 points higher than at Stephens College (1200).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 19 at Stephens College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Stephens College 1130/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Stephens College 16/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Stephens College - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Stephens College Nov 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.54 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Stephens College (3.27).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Stephens College (77.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 14.6% at Stephens College.

Iowa vs. Stephens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Stephens 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 Stephens College's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $22,400 more per year than Stephens College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $37,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Stephens College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Stephens College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Stephens College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

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.