Iowa vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Utah is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (36,894 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 Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Utah 19:1.

Iowa vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Utah? 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 Utah than Iowa ($16,583 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 3% lower than at University of Utah ($12,920 vs. $13,315).
• University of Iowa is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $1,663 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.1% higher at Iowa than at University of Utah (about $2,511 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at University of Utah (76% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 29.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($12,744 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 60 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Utah 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 Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 26% at Utah.

Iowa vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $6,616 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($15,000 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($155 vs. $223).
• More Utah 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.