Wabash College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Wabash College in Crawfordsville, IN with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Wabash College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 866 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Wabash College is located in Crawfordsville, IN (Distant Town setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Wabash College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Wabash College 9:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Wabash College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Wabash College or Iowa? 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 Iowa than Wabash College ($21,765 vs. $25,562).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 10.3% lower than at Wabash College ($12,920 vs. $14,400).
• Wabash College is 350.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $39,517 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 52.2% higher at Wabash College than at University of Iowa (about $17,429 more per year; $50,800.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Wabash College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Wabash College students is 301.5% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($39,605 vs. $9,865).

Wabash College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Wabash College or Iowa? 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 Iowa and Wabash College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 60 points higher than at Wabash College (1170).
• Incoming Wabash College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 1060/1270; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Wabash College 23/28; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Wabash College - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Wabash College Jul 1, 2027; Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Wabash College (3.6).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Wabash College (63.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at Wabash College vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Wabash College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Wabash College and Iowa? 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).

• Wabash College's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from Wabash College earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,800 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than Wabash College graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wabash College graduates ($223 vs. $258).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wabash College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 70%)

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.