Iowa vs. Kentucky

Comparable Facts

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

University of Kentucky is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (34,709 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 Kentucky is in Lexington, KY (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kentucky is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Kentucky 18:1.

Iowa vs. Kentucky Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Kentucky? 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 Kentucky ($21,765 vs. $21,958).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 19.3% lower than at University of Kentucky ($12,920 vs. $16,016).
• University of Kentucky is 19.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $2,219 more per year; $13,502.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.3% higher at Kentucky than at University of Iowa (about $769 more per year; $34,140.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kentucky than at University of Iowa (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Kentucky students is 30.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($12,898 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Kentucky Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 50 points higher than at Kentucky (1180).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Kentucky (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Kentucky 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Kentucky 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Kentucky - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Kentucky Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Kentucky (3.59).
• Kentucky has a higher acceptance rate (92.9%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 22.2% at Kentucky.

Iowa vs. Kentucky Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Kentucky? 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 Kentucky's (59%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $8,800 more per year than Kentucky graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $51,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,134 lower median loan debt than Kentucky graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,750).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kentucky graduates ($223 vs. $235).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kentucky students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 62%)

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.