UNI vs. MLC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Martin Luther College is in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Martin Luther College 10:1.

UNI vs. MLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or MLC? 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 MLC ($16,437 vs. $18,974).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 20.9% lower than at University of Northern Iowa ($7,900 vs. $9,986).
• Martin Luther College is 82.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $8,184 more per year; $18,120.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.8% higher at UNI than at Martin Luther College (about $3,592 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Martin Luther College students is 75.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($10,276 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. MLC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Martin Luther College (1170) is 20 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming MLC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Martin Luther College 1078/1256.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Martin Luther College 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; MLC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at MLC (3.56).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than MLC (87.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 88.3% at MLC.

UNI vs. MLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and MLC? 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than MLC graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MLC graduates ($213 vs. $239).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.