Dort vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Dordt University in Sioux Center, IA 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 Dort based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 1,952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Dordt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dordt University 14:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Dort vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dort 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 Dort ($21,765 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dordt University are 8.9% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,770 vs. $12,920).
• Dordt University is 228.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $25,767 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at Dort than at University of Iowa (about $3,679 more per year; $37,050.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dordt University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dordt University students is 136% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($23,277 vs. $9,865).

Dort vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dort 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 Dort.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 30 points higher than at Dort (1200).
• Incoming Dort 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: Dordt University 1070/1330; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 21/29; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dort - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Dort (3.65).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Dort (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at Dort vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Dort vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dort 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Dordt University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $16,500 more per year than Dort graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,384 lower median loan debt than Dort graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Dort graduates ($223 vs. $237).
• More Dort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.