UNI vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than University of Minnesota-Duluth based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 9,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

UNI vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota-Duluth ($16,437 vs. $20,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 10.1% lower than at University of Minnesota Duluth ($9,986 vs. $11,110).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 47% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $4,674 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.9% higher at UNI than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $1,582 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at University of Northern Iowa (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students is 22.5% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($7,186 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 120 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth 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 Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than University of Minnesota-Duluth (88.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

UNI vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $4,375 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($20,625 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($213 vs. $258).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.