ISU vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

ISU vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UNI? 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 Northern Iowa than ISU ($16,437 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 7.6% lower than at Iowa State University ($9,986 vs. $10,808).
• Iowa State University is 8.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $851 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at ISU than at University of Northern Iowa (about $7,169 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at Iowa State University (83% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 84% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($10,791 vs. $5,865).

ISU vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or UNI? 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 UNI and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 90 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UNI - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 31.1% at UNI.

ISU vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UNI? 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $3,243 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($213 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.