UNI vs. KU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kansas is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (29,792 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); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

UNI vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or KU? 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 KU ($16,437 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 12.1% lower than at University of Kansas ($9,986 vs. $11,358).
• University of Kansas is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $2,166 more per year; $12,102.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at KU than at University of Northern Iowa (about $8,720 more per year; $30,432.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kansas than at University of Northern Iowa (91% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kansas students is 96.8% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($11,541 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Kansas (1190) is 40 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming KU 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; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman KU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at UNI (3.61).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than UNI (92.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 25.5% at KU.

UNI vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and KU? 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 University of Kansas's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Kansas graduates have a $125 lower median loan debt than UNI graduates ($20,500 vs. $20,625).
• Among borrowers, KU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNI graduates ($211 vs. $213).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former KU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 66%)

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.