Iowa vs. KU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than KU based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 29,792 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Iowa vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or KU? 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 Kansas than Iowa ($19,205 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 12.1% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,358 vs. $12,920).
• University of Kansas is 7.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $819 more per year; $12,102.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.7% higher at Iowa than at University of Kansas (about $2,939 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $30,432.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kansas than at University of Iowa (91% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 17% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($11,541 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 40 points higher than at KU (1190).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at KU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at KU (3.66).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 25.5% at KU.

Iowa vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and KU? 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 University of Kansas's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $5,200 more per year than KU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $1,116 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,500 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($211 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 66%)

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.