Iowa vs. UC

Should I go to University of Iowa or University of Cincinnati Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Iowa or UC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of Iowa vs. University of Cincinnati Main Campus comparison
University of Iowa University of Cincinnati Main Campus College 3 College 4
University of Iowa University of Cincinnati Main Campus
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Overview

Iowa UC
Location Iowa City, IA Cincinnati, OH
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 30,015 41,155
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #224 #413
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website uiowa.edu uc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Iowa UC
Tuition (In State) $8,711 $11,498
Tuition (Out of State) $30,674 $26,862
Room & Board $11,476 $12,852
Avg Net Price $19,587 $20,149
Avg Grant Aid $9,959 $8,733
% Receiving Grant Aid 82% 64%

Admission

Iowa UC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,729 29,025
Admitted 22,128 25,024
Acceptance Rate 86% 86.2%
Enrolled % 23.4% 25.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.81 3.69
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 22/28 24/29
SAT Range 1130/1340 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline May 1, 2025 Mar 1, 2025

Academics

Iowa UC
Student to Faculty Ratio 16:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Health Professions (16%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)

Outcomes

Iowa UC
Graduation Rate 71% 59%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $59,800 $45,600
Making Student Loan Payments 70% 57%
Median Student Loan Debt $21,616 $23,000
Median Loan Payment $223 $237

Diversity

Iowa UC
% Men 44% 46%
% Women 56% 54%
Racial Diversity Medium Low
HBCU No No
% White 67% 75%
% Black 3% 7%
% Hispanic 7% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 12% 4%
% Unknown Race 4% 4%

Students

Iowa UC
% In-State 54% 78%
% Out-of-State 45% 17%

Campus

Iowa UC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than than Iowa based on total student enrollment (41,155 students vs. 30,015 students)

Iowa vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or UC?

  • University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 32% more expensive to attend than Iowa for in-state tuition ($11,498.00 vs. $8,711.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 14.2% higher at Iowa than University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($30,674.00 vs. $26,862.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Iowa than UC ($19,587 vs. $20,149)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 12% lower than costs at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($11,476 vs. $12,852)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Iowa than University of Cincinnati Main Campus (82% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 14% larger than aid received University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($9,959 vs. $8,733)

Iowa vs. UC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or UC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UC or Iowa .

  • The average SAT score at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1165) is 1 points higher than at Iowa (1164)
  • Incoming Iowa students have at the same average ACT score (26) as students at UC (26)
  • Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UC (3.69)
  • UC has a higher acceptance rate (86.2%) than Iowa (86%)

Iowa vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Iowa or UC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UC and Iowa.

  • The graduation rate at Iowa is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus (71% vs. 59%)
  • Graduates from University of Iowa earn on average $14,200 more per year than UC graduates after ten years. ($59,800 vs. $45,600)
  • University of Iowa students graduate with a $1,384 lower median federal student loan debt than UC graduates. ($21,616 vs. $23,000)
  • Iowa graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than UC graduates. ($223 vs. $237)
  • More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/