Iowa vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (47,980 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 Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Houston 22:1.

Iowa vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or UH? 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 Houston than Iowa ($14,309 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston are 12.6% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,286 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 16.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $1,566 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48% higher at Iowa than at University of Houston (about $10,824 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at University of Houston (76% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 23.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($12,159 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 20 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming UH 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 Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; UH - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UH (3.46).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 26.5% at UH.

Iowa vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and UH? 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 Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $800 more per year than UH graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $59,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $1,866 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($19,750 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $19 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($204 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 61%)

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.