UNI vs. Hope College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Hope College based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 3,395 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Hope College is in Holland, MI (Small City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Hope College 9:1.

UNI vs. Hope College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Hope 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 Northern Iowa than Hope College ($16,437 vs. $30,700).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 22.9% lower than at Hope College ($9,986 vs. $12,950).
• Hope College is 322.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $32,034 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.3% higher at Hope College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $20,258 more per year; $41,970.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope College than at University of Northern Iowa (97% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Hope College students is 325.3% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($24,945 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Hope College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or Hope 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 Hope College and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Hope College (1220) is 70 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Hope College students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Hope College 1100/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Hope College 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Hope College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Hope College students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Hope College (79.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 20.1% at Hope College.

UNI vs. Hope College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Hope 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).

• Hope College's six-year graduation rate (79%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $200 more per year than Hope College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Hope College graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Hope College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Hope College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.