UNI vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than University of Northwestern-St Paul based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 3,234 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

UNI vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul ($16,437 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 13.4% lower than at University of Northwestern St Paul ($9,986 vs. $11,534).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is 281.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $27,984 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.6% higher at University of Northwestern-St Paul than at University of Northern Iowa (about $16,208 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northwestern St Paul than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students is 277.4% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($22,132 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 80 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming University of Northwestern-St Paul 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; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (3.58).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than UNI (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

UNI vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $6,600 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,445 lower median loan debt than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates ($20,625 vs. $22,070).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates ($213 vs. $228).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.