Iowa vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Northwestern St Paul in Saint Paul, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than University of Northwestern-St Paul based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 3,234 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Northwestern St Paul is in Saint Paul, MN (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Northwestern St Paul is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Northwestern St Paul 16:1.

Iowa vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 Iowa than University of Northwestern-St Paul ($21,765 vs. $29,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northwestern St Paul are 10.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,534 vs. $12,920).
• University of Northwestern St Paul is 236.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $26,637 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.6% higher at University of Northwestern-St Paul than at University of Iowa (about $4,549 more per year; $37,920.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northwestern St Paul than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Northwestern St Paul students is 124.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($22,132 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 University of Northwestern-St Paul and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 160 points higher than at University of Northwestern-St Paul (1070).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Northwestern St Paul 868/1271.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Northwestern St Paul 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; University of Northwestern-St Paul - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; University of Northwestern-St Paul Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of Northwestern-St Paul (3.58).
• University of Northwestern-St Paul has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 30.9% at University of Northwestern-St Paul.

Iowa vs. University of Northwestern-St Paul Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and University of Northwestern-St Paul? 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than University of Northwestern St Paul's (64%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $18,700 more per year than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $41,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $454 lower median loan debt than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,070).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates ($223 vs. $228).
• More University of Northwestern-St Paul graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.