UNI vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

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

University of Northern Iowa is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (9,278 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

UNI vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College ($16,437 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 15% lower than at Wartburg College ($9,986 vs. $11,750).
• Wartburg College is 164.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $16,314 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.9% higher at Wartburg College than at University of Northern Iowa (about $4,538 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wartburg College than at University of Northern Iowa (97% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 587.7% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($40,336 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is 80 points higher than at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College 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; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Wartburg College (3.48).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

UNI vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Wartburg College? 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 Wartburg College's (63%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $400 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($20,625 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.