UNI vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Comparable Facts

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

University of Missouri Columbia is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (31,543 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 Missouri Columbia is in Columbia, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri Columbia is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of Missouri Columbia 17:1.

UNI vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri-Columbia ($16,437 vs. $22,169).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 27.1% lower than at University of Missouri Columbia ($9,986 vs. $13,700).
• University of Missouri Columbia is 49.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $4,901 more per year; $14,837.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 66.1% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than at University of Northern Iowa (about $14,344 more per year; $36,056.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than at University of Northern Iowa (95% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 125.1% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($13,203 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Columbia (1240) is 90 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; University of Missouri Columbia 1150/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of Missouri Columbia 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; University of Missouri-Columbia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have the same average high school GPA (3.61) as students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (78.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 31% at University of Missouri-Columbia.

UNI vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and University of Missouri-Columbia? 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 Missouri Columbia's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,258 lower median loan debt than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($20,625 vs. $21,883).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Missouri-Columbia graduates ($213 vs. $226).
• More University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.