UNI vs. The University of Montana

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with The University of Montana in Missoula, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Montana is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (10,811 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); The University of Montana is in Missoula, MT (Small City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Montana is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; The University of Montana 17:1.

UNI vs. The University of Montana Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana ($16,437 vs. $17,370).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 22% lower than at The University of Montana ($9,986 vs. $12,804).
• University of Northern Iowa is 16.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than The University of Montana (about $1,384 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $8,552.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.1% higher at The University of Montana than at University of Northern Iowa (about $11,959 more per year; $33,671.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa as at The University of Montana (83% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Montana students is 67.1% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($9,799 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. The University of Montana Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Montana (1180) is 30 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming UNI students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 22) as students at The University of Montana (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; The University of Montana 1070/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; The University of Montana 18/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; The University of Montana - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: The University of Montana Aug 18, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at The University of Montana (3.36).
• The University of Montana has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than UNI (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 19.3% at The University of Montana.

UNI vs. The University of Montana Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and The University of Montana? 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 The University of Montana's (47%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than The University of Montana graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $41,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $2,558 lower median loan debt than The University of Montana graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,183).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than The University of Montana graduates ($213 vs. $239).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The University of Montana students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 59%)

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.