UNI vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,429 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

UNI vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict ($16,437 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 20.4% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($9,986 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 461.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $45,820 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 156.8% higher at Saint Benedict than at University of Northern Iowa (about $34,044 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 582.8% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($40,048 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 10 points higher than at Saint Benedict (1140).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Saint Benedict (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

UNI vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Saint Benedict? 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).

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $5,718 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($20,625 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($213 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (92% vs. 72%)

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.