Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than University of Minnesota-Duluth based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 9,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota Duluth than Iowa ($20,128 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 14% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,110 vs. $12,920).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 29.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $3,327 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.8% higher at Iowa than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $13,241 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at University of Iowa (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 37.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($9,865 vs. $7,186).

Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 40 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Iowa vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $6,300 more per year than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($223 vs. $258).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.