Iowa vs. UNC Charlotte

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Charlotte, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (31,091 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of North Carolina at Charlotte is in Charlotte, NC (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21:1.

Iowa vs. UNC Charlotte Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or UNC Charlotte? 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 North Carolina at Charlotte than Iowa ($15,045 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 10.6% lower than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte ($12,920 vs. $14,458).
• University of Iowa is 55.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNC Charlotte (about $4,044 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $7,239.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.4% higher at Iowa than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (about $10,879 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $22,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (76% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 23.8% larger than aid received by University of North Carolina at Charlotte students ($9,865 vs. $7,966).

Iowa vs. UNC Charlotte Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1240) is 10 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at UNC Charlotte (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 1140/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of North Carolina at Charlotte 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; UNC Charlotte - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; UNC Charlotte Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UNC Charlotte (3.57).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than UNC Charlotte (79.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 24.5% at UNC Charlotte.

Iowa vs. UNC Charlotte Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and UNC Charlotte? 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 North Carolina at Charlotte's (53%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,200 more per year than UNC Charlotte graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,384 lower median loan debt than UNC Charlotte graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNC Charlotte graduates ($223 vs. $237).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNC Charlotte students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 61%)

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.