UNI vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston

Comparable Facts

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

University of Massachusetts Boston is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (15,575 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 Massachusetts Boston is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Massachusetts Boston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of Massachusetts Boston 15:1.

UNI vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston ($16,437 vs. $17,768).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 47.8% lower than at University of Massachusetts Boston ($9,986 vs. $19,128).
• University of Massachusetts Boston is 60.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $5,972 more per year; $15,908.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 75.6% higher at University of Massachusetts-Boston than at University of Northern Iowa (about $16,413 more per year; $38,125.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Massachusetts Boston than at University of Northern Iowa (88% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Massachusetts Boston students is 139.4% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($14,042 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 University of Massachusetts-Boston and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Massachusetts Boston (1180) is 30 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming University of Massachusetts-Boston students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; University of Massachusetts Boston 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of Massachusetts Boston 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; University of Massachusetts-Boston - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Massachusetts-Boston Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at University of Massachusetts-Boston (3.35).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than University of Massachusetts-Boston (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 12.3% at University of Massachusetts-Boston.

UNI vs. University of Massachusetts-Boston Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and University of Massachusetts-Boston? 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 Massachusetts Boston's (40%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,435 lower median loan debt than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($20,625 vs. $22,060).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Massachusetts-Boston graduates ($213 vs. $228).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Massachusetts-Boston students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 58%)

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.