UNI vs. St. Ambrose University

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than St. Ambrose University based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 2,498 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Saint Ambrose University is in Davenport, IA (Small City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Ambrose University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Saint Ambrose University 11:1.

UNI vs. St. Ambrose University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or St. Ambrose University ? 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 St. Ambrose University ($16,437 vs. $25,345).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 25.4% lower than at Saint Ambrose University ($9,986 vs. $13,378).
• Saint Ambrose University is 268.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $26,722 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 68.8% higher at St. Ambrose University than at University of Northern Iowa (about $14,946 more per year; $36,658.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Ambrose University than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Ambrose University students is 341.2% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($25,877 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. St. Ambrose University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or St. Ambrose University ? 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 St. Ambrose University and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 100 points higher than at St. Ambrose University (1050).
• Incoming UNI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at St. Ambrose University (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Saint Ambrose University 930/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Saint Ambrose University 20/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; St. Ambrose University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at St. Ambrose University (3.39).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than St. Ambrose University (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 16.7% at St. Ambrose University .

UNI vs. St. Ambrose University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and St. Ambrose University ? 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 Saint Ambrose University's (62%).
• Graduates from Saint Ambrose University earn a median of about $600 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $5,139 lower median loan debt than St. Ambrose University graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,764).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than St. Ambrose University graduates ($213 vs. $266).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Ambrose University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 71%)

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.