UNF vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

University of North Florida is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (16,154 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, FL (Large City setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• University of North Florida 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 North Florida 19:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

UNF vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNF 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 North Florida than UNI ($11,135 vs. $16,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 15.4% lower than at University of North Florida ($9,986 vs. $11,810).
• University of Northern Iowa is 55.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNF (about $3,547 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $6,389.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.4% higher at UNI than at University of North Florida (about $919 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $20,793.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at University of North Florida (83% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Florida students is 59.9% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($9,377 vs. $5,865).

UNF vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNF 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 UNF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Florida (1170) is 20 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming UNF students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at UNI (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 1070/1270; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of North Florida 19/25; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNF - Required; UNI - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNF students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than UNF (53.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.5% at UNF vs. 31.1% at UNI.

UNF vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNF 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of North Florida's (50%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $500 more per year than UNF graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of North Florida graduates have a $4,625 lower median loan debt than UNI graduates ($16,000 vs. $20,625).
• Among borrowers, UNF graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNI graduates ($165 vs. $213).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNF students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 60%)

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.