Iowa vs. Ripon College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Ripon College in Ripon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Ripon College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 709 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Ripon College is in Ripon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Ripon College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Ripon College 12:1.

Iowa vs. Ripon College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Ripon College? 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 Ripon College ($21,765 vs. $23,772).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ripon College are 16.4% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,800 vs. $12,920).
• Ripon College is 360% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $40,617 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.5% higher at Ripon College than at University of Iowa (about $18,529 more per year; $51,900.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ripon College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Ripon College students is 302.6% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($39,716 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Ripon College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 100 points higher than at Ripon College (1130).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Ripon College (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Ripon College 980/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Ripon College 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Ripon College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.4 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Ripon College (3.41).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Ripon College (79.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 10.9% at Ripon College.

Iowa vs. Ripon College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Ripon College? 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 Ripon College's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $10,600 more per year than Ripon College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $6,384 lower median loan debt than Ripon College graduates ($21,616 vs. $28,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Ripon College graduates ($223 vs. $289).
• More Ripon College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.