Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Minnesota Rochester in Rochester, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 578 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 Minnesota Rochester than Iowa ($14,953 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 7.7% lower than at University of Minnesota Rochester ($12,920 vs. $13,994).
• University of Minnesota Rochester is 33.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $3,733 more per year; $15,016.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 122.2% higher at Iowa than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $18,355 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Rochester than at University of Iowa (78% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students is 42.5% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($14,057 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 60 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Rochester students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than University of Minnesota-Rochester (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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).

• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Rochester graduates have a $1,431 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,185 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($208 vs. $223).
• More University of Minnesota-Rochester 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.