Iowa vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than University of Missouri-Kansas City based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 14,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Iowa vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri Kansas City than Iowa ($14,748 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 16.4% lower than at University of Missouri Kansas City ($12,920 vs. $15,452).
• University of Missouri Kansas City is 11.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $1,304 more per year; $12,587.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Iowa than at University of Missouri Kansas City (about $3,144 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $30,227.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Kansas City than at University of Iowa (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Kansas City students is 11.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($10,982 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri-Kansas City and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Kansas City (1420) is 190 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Missouri Kansas City 1290/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Missouri Kansas City 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; University of Missouri-Kansas City - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; University of Missouri-Kansas City Jun 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (3.54).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than University of Missouri-Kansas City (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 30.1% at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Iowa vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri Kansas City's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $55,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Kansas City graduates have a $616 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($21,000 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($217 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Kansas City students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 55%)

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.