Iowa vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Iowa vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than Iowa ($16,437 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 22.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($9,986 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 13.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $1,347 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.7% higher at Iowa than at University of Northern Iowa (about $11,659 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at University of Iowa (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 68.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($9,865 vs. $5,865).

Iowa vs. UNI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 80 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 31.1% at UNI.

Iowa vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and UNI? 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 Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $991 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,625 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($213 vs. $223).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.