UNI vs. Saint John's

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Saint John's based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,572 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UNI vs. Saint John's Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Saint John's? 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 Saint John's ($16,437 vs. $28,504).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 19.7% lower than at Saint Johns University ($9,986 vs. $12,430).
• Saint Johns University is 461.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $45,880 more per year; $55,816.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 157.1% higher at Saint John's than at University of Northern Iowa (about $34,104 more per year; $55,816.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Johns University than at University of Northern Iowa (100% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Johns University students is 582.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($40,035 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Saint John's Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or Saint John's? 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 Saint John's and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 70 points higher than at Saint John's (1080).
• Incoming Saint John's 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; Saint Johns University 941/1228.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Saint Johns University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Saint John's - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Saint John's (3.51).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Saint John's (90.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 21.9% at Saint John's.

UNI vs. Saint John's Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Saint John's? 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).

• Saint Johns University's six-year graduation rate (80%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Saint Johns University earn a median of about $16,700 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,400 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Saint John's graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint John's graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Saint John's graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.