UIU vs. Saint Benedict

Comparable Facts

Compare Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA with College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Upper Iowa University is larger than Saint Benedict based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 1,429 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); College of Saint Benedict is in Saint Joseph, MN (Small Suburban setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Saint Benedict is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; College of Saint Benedict 11:1.

UIU vs. Saint Benedict Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU or Saint Benedict? 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 Saint Benedict ($20,426 vs. $28,400).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 19.4% lower than at College of Saint Benedict ($10,121 vs. $12,550).
• College of Saint Benedict is 186.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $36,281 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 186.3% higher at Saint Benedict than at Upper Iowa University (about $36,281 more per year; $55,756.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Saint Benedict than at Upper Iowa University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Saint Benedict students is 194.6% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($40,048 vs. $13,596).

UIU vs. Saint Benedict Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU or Saint Benedict? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Saint Benedict and UIU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at College of Saint Benedict (1140) is 70 points higher than at UIU (1070).
• Incoming Saint Benedict students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (23 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; College of Saint Benedict 1048/1233.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Upper Iowa University 14/21; College of Saint Benedict 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; Saint Benedict - Test optional.
• Enrolled freshman Saint Benedict students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.72) than students at UIU (3.34).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Saint Benedict (91.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 21.6% at Saint Benedict.

UIU vs. Saint Benedict Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIU and Saint Benedict? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• College of Saint Benedict's six-year graduation rate (81%) is higher than Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from College of Saint Benedict earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than UIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $2,343 lower median loan debt than Saint Benedict graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,343).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Benedict graduates ($248 vs. $272).
• More Saint Benedict graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.