IU vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare Indiana University Bloomington in Bloomington, IN with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Indiana University Bloomington is larger than UC based on total student enrollment (48,424 students vs. 45,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Indiana University Bloomington is located in Bloomington, IN (Small City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Indiana University Bloomington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Indiana University Bloomington 18:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

IU vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IU or UC? 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 Indiana University Bloomington than UC ($17,270 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 3% lower than at Indiana University Bloomington ($13,564 vs. $13,984).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than IU (about $1,832 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $12,144.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.9% higher at IU than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $12,581 more per year; $41,891.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Indiana University Bloomington as at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (73% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Indiana University Bloomington students is 28% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($10,487 vs. $8,196).

IU vs. UC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IU or UC? 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 UC and IU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Indiana University Bloomington (1290) is 20 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming IU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 1170/1400; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Indiana University Bloomington 27/33; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IU - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman IU students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than IU (78.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at IU vs. 22.5% at UC.

IU vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IU and UC? 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).

• Indiana University Bloomington's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Indiana University Bloomington graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, IU graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($232 vs. $237).
• More IU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 57%)

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.