Iowa vs. MLC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than MLC based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 878 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Martin Luther College is in New Ulm, MN (Remote Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Martin Luther College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Martin Luther College 10:1.

Iowa vs. MLC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or MLC? 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 Martin Luther College than Iowa ($18,974 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Martin Luther College are 38.9% lower than at University of Iowa ($7,900 vs. $12,920).
• Martin Luther College is 60.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $6,837 more per year; $18,120.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 84.2% higher at Iowa than at Martin Luther College (about $15,251 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $18,120.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Martin Luther College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Martin Luther College students is 4.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($10,276 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. MLC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or MLC? 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 MLC and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 60 points higher than at MLC (1170).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at MLC (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Martin Luther College 1078/1256.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Martin Luther College 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); MLC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at MLC (3.56).
• MLC has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 88.3% at MLC.

Iowa vs. MLC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and MLC? 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).

• Martin Luther College's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $21,800 more per year than MLC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $38,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,509 lower median loan debt than MLC graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,125).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MLC graduates ($223 vs. $239).
• More MLC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (89% 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.