UIU vs. CSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA with Charleston Southern University in Charleston, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Upper Iowa University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 3,832 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); Charleston Southern University is in Charleston, SC (Small City setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Charleston Southern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; Charleston Southern University 12:1.

UIU vs. CSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU or CSU? 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 Upper Iowa University than CSU ($20,426 vs. $21,080).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 17% lower than at Charleston Southern University ($10,121 vs. $12,200).
• Charleston Southern University is 67% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $13,045 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67% higher at CSU than at Upper Iowa University (about $13,045 more per year; $32,520.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charleston Southern University than at Upper Iowa University (98% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Charleston Southern University students is 70.9% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($23,240 vs. $13,596).

UIU vs. CSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU or CSU? 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 CSU and UIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Upper Iowa University (1070) is 20 points higher than at CSU (1050).
• Incoming CSU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; Charleston Southern University 930/1160.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 14/21; Charleston Southern University 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; CSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UIU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at CSU (3.24).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than CSU (96.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 17.7% at CSU.

UIU vs. CSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIU and CSU? 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).

• Upper Iowa University's six-year graduation rate (45%) is higher than Charleston Southern University's (38%).
• Graduates from Upper Iowa University earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $39,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More UIU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CSU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 50%)

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.