Principia College vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

Compare Principia College in Elsah, Illinois 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 Principia College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 339 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Principia College is located in Elsah, Illinois (Rural Fringe setting); University of Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Principia College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Principia College 6:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

Principia College vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Principia 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 Principia College than Iowa ($18,248 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 7.1% lower than at Principia College ($12,920 vs. $13,910).
• Principia College is 207.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $23,397 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at Principia College than at University of Iowa (about $1,309 more per year; $34,680.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Principia College than at University of Iowa (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Principia College students is 208.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($30,402 vs. $9,865).

Principia College vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Principia 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 Principia College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 80 points higher than at Principia College (1150).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at Principia College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 1040/1250; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Principia College 19/23; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Principia College - Not reported; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Principia College (3.34).

Principia College vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Principia 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).

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.