Iowa vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

Iowa vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Lincoln than Iowa ($18,322 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 8.5% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($12,920 vs. $14,120).
• University of Iowa is 8.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $849 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at Iowa than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $4,787 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at University of Iowa (94% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 6.9% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($10,541 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 20 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

Iowa vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Lincoln's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $84 lower median loan debt than Nebraska graduates ($21,616 vs. $21,700).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nebraska graduates ($223 vs. $224).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.