UNI vs. Purdue

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Purdue University Main Campus in West Lafayette, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Purdue University Main Campus is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (58,658 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Purdue University Main Campus is in West Lafayette, IN (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Purdue University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Purdue University Main Campus 14:1.

UNI vs. Purdue Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Purdue? 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 Purdue University Main Campus than UNI ($13,722 vs. $16,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 22.1% lower than at Purdue University Main Campus ($9,986 vs. $12,820).
• Purdue University Main Campus is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $56 more per year; $9,992.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.6% higher at Purdue than at University of Northern Iowa (about $7,082 more per year; $28,794.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at Purdue University Main Campus (83% vs. 40%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Purdue University Main Campus students is 92.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($11,294 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Purdue Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Purdue University Main Campus (1340) is 190 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Purdue students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Purdue University Main Campus 1200/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Purdue University Main Campus 27/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Purdue - Required.
• Accepted freshman Purdue students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Purdue (49.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 29.2% at Purdue.

UNI vs. Purdue Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Purdue? 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).

• Purdue University Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than Purdue graduates ($20,625 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Purdue graduates ($213 vs. $222).
• More Purdue 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.