UIU vs. Wartburg College

Comparable Facts

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

Upper Iowa University is larger than Wartburg College based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 1,483 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); Wartburg College is in Waverly, IA (Distant Town setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Wartburg College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; Wartburg College 13:1.

UIU vs. Wartburg College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU 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 Upper Iowa University than Wartburg College ($20,426 vs. $24,031).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 13.9% lower than at Wartburg College ($10,121 vs. $11,750).
• Wartburg College is 34.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $6,775 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.8% higher at Wartburg College than at Upper Iowa University (about $6,775 more per year; $26,250.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Upper Iowa University as at Wartburg College (97% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wartburg College students is 196.7% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($40,336 vs. $13,596).

UIU vs. Wartburg College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU 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 UIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Upper Iowa University (1070) is the same as at Wartburg College (1070).
• Incoming Wartburg College students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; Wartburg College 930/1200.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 14/21; Wartburg College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; Wartburg College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Wartburg College students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.48) than students at UIU (3.34).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Wartburg College (75.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 16.6% at Wartburg College.

UIU vs. Wartburg College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIU 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).

• Wartburg College's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Wartburg College earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than UIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,100 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than Wartburg College graduates ($24,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wartburg College graduates ($248 vs. $279).
• More Wartburg College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.