UNI vs. Northwest

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Northwest based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 9,152 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Northwest Missouri State University is in Maryville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwest Missouri State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Northwest Missouri State University 16:1.

UNI vs. Northwest Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Northwest? 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 Northwest ($16,437 vs. $16,790).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 18.7% lower than at Northwest Missouri State University ($9,986 vs. $12,282).
• Northwest Missouri State University is 6.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $675 more per year; $10,611.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.3% higher at UNI than at Northwest Missouri State University (about $4,388 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwest Missouri State University than at University of Northern Iowa (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwest Missouri State University students is 55.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($9,101 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Northwest Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 70 points higher than at Northwest (1080).
• Incoming UNI students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at Northwest).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Northwest Missouri State University 976/1193.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Northwest Missouri State University 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Northwest - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Northwest (3.45).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Northwest (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 22.2% at Northwest.

UNI vs. Northwest Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Northwest? 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 Northwest Missouri State University's (49%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than Northwest graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $41,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than Northwest graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwest graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwest students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 63%)

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.