Iowa vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

Iowa vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or UC? 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 UC ($21,765 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 4.7% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($12,920 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 23.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $2,693 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.9% higher at Iowa than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $4,061 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (76% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 20.4% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($9,865 vs. $8,196).

Iowa vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 40 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming UC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 22.5% at UC.

Iowa vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and UC? 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 Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $14,200 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,384 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($223 vs. $237).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 57%)

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.