Iowa vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Wartburg College in Waverly, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

Iowa vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Wartburg College? 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 Iowa than Wartburg College ($21,765 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Wartburg College are 9.1% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,750 vs. $12,920).
• Wartburg College is 132.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $14,967 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.1% higher at Iowa than at Wartburg College (about $7,121 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $26,250.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wartburg College than at University of Iowa (97% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 308.9% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($40,336 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 160 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Wartburg College (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

Iowa vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than Wartburg College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.