UNI vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Ripon College 12:1.

UNI vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Ripon 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 Ripon College ($16,437 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 7.5% lower than at Ripon College ($9,986 vs. $10,800).
• Ripon College is 422.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $41,964 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139% higher at Ripon College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $30,188 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 577.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($39,716 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 20 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Ripon College 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; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

UNI vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Ripon 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).

• Ripon College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Ripon College earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $7,375 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($20,625 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($213 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.