UIC vs. UNI

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); University of Northern Iowa is in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; University of Northern Iowa 18:1.

UIC vs. UNI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC 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 Illinois Chicago than UNI ($10,852 vs. $16,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 39.5% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($9,986 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 44.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $4,402 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.6% higher at UIC than at University of Northern Iowa (about $8,172 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at University of Illinois Chicago (83% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 185.7% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($16,755 vs. $5,865).

UIC vs. UNI Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIC 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 UIC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 90 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming UIC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; UNI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at UIC (3.41).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than UIC (77.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 31.1% at UNI.

UIC vs. UNI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC 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).

• University of Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than University of Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $1,875 lower median loan debt than UNI graduates ($18,750 vs. $20,625).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNI graduates ($193 vs. $213).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIC students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 68%)

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.