Iowa vs. Truman State

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Truman State based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 3,664 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Truman State University is in Kirksville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Truman State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Truman State University 12:1.

Iowa vs. Truman State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Truman State? 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 Truman State University than Iowa ($13,602 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Truman State University are 13.9% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,128 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 14.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Truman State (about $1,445 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 79.7% higher at Iowa than at Truman State University (about $14,805 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $18,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Truman State University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Truman State University students is 23.5% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($12,186 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Truman State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or Truman State? 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 Truman State and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Truman State University (1270) is 40 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Truman State 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; Truman State University 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Truman State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Truman State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have the same average high school GPA (3.81) as students at Truman State (3.81).
• Truman State has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 25.9% at Truman State.

Iowa vs. Truman State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Truman State? 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 Truman State University's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $10,000 more per year than Truman State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,040 lower median loan debt than Truman State graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,656).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Truman State graduates ($223 vs. $234).
• More Truman State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.