Iowa vs. Saint Louis University

University of Iowa and Saint Louis University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Iowa
Saint Louis University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Saint Louis University (75% admitted vs 83.6%). Typical SAT 1310 vs 1230.
  • Cheaper after aid: Iowa. Average net price is $21,765 vs $27,749 at Saint Louis University.
  • Graduation: Iowa 71% vs Saint Louis University 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Iowa $59,800 vs Saint Louis University $61,800 (median).
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Acceptance rate
Saint Louis University more selective
Iowa83.6%
Saint Louis University75%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Saint Louis University higher
Iowa1130-1330
Saint Louis University1200-1410
Average net price
Iowa $5,984 less
Iowa$21,765
Saint Louis University$27,749
In-state tuition
Iowa $44,477 less
Iowa$11,283
Saint Louis University$55,760
Out-of-state tuition
Iowa $22,389 less
Iowa$33,371
Saint Louis University$55,760
Graduation rate
Iowa +10 pts
Iowa71%
Saint Louis University61%
Median earnings (10 years)
Saint Louis University +$2,000
Iowa$59,800
Saint Louis University$61,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Iowa 27,770
  • Saint Louis University 15,533
  • Admitted
  • Iowa 23,222
  • Saint Louis University 11,656
  • Acceptance rate
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • Saint Louis University 75%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • Saint Louis University 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Iowa 1230
  • Saint Louis University 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Iowa 24
  • Saint Louis University 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Iowa 3.81
  • Saint Louis University 3.95
  • Typical high school grades
  • Iowa A-
  • Saint Louis University A
  • Admissions standards
  • Iowa Challenging
  • Saint Louis University Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Iowa
  • Saint Louis University
  • SAT range
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • Saint Louis University 1200-1410
  • ACT range
  • Iowa 21-28
  • Saint Louis University 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Iowa Test optional
  • Saint Louis University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • Saint Louis University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Iowa $11,283
  • Saint Louis University $55,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Iowa $33,371
  • Saint Louis University $55,760
  • Room & board
  • Iowa $12,920
  • Saint Louis University $15,280
  • Average net price
  • Iowa $21,765
  • Saint Louis University $27,749
  • Average grant aid
  • Iowa $9,865
  • Saint Louis University $44,657
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Iowa 76%
  • Saint Louis University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Iowa 71%
  • Saint Louis University 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Iowa $59,800
  • Saint Louis University $61,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Iowa 70%
  • Saint Louis University 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Iowa $21,616
  • Saint Louis University $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Iowa $223
  • Saint Louis University $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Iowa 16:1
  • Saint Louis University 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Saint Louis University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
  • Setting
  • Iowa Small City
  • Saint Louis University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Iowa 30,779
  • Saint Louis University 17,059
  • Type
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • Saint Louis University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Iowa #233
  • Saint Louis University #166

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Iowa is larger than Saint Louis University based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 17,059 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Saint Louis University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
  • University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Saint Louis University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 15.4% lower than at Saint Louis University ($12,920 vs. $15,280).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 67.1% higher at Saint Louis University than at University of Iowa (about $22,389 more per year; $55,760 vs. $33,371).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Louis University than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Louis University students is 352.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($44,657 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Saint Louis University than at Iowa (28 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Iowa and Saint Louis University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Saint Louis University average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.14 higher than at Iowa (3.81).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 13.9% at Saint Louis University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,384 lower median loan debt than Saint Louis University graduates ($21,616 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Louis University graduates ($223 vs. $268).
  • More Saint Louis University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 70%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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