UNI vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (17,171 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); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

UNI vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or WCU? 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 WCU ($16,437 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 32.7% lower than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania ($9,986 vs. $14,828).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 8.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $839 more per year; $10,775.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.1% higher at WCU than at University of Northern Iowa (about $887 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (83% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northern Iowa students is 2.7% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($5,865 vs. $5,709).

UNI vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (1190) is 40 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming WCU 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; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at WCU (3.43).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 22.4% at WCU.

UNI vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and WCU? 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).

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $2,875 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($213 vs. $242).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.