Iowa vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (56,666 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 Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

Iowa vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Minnesota? 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 Twin Cities than Iowa ($17,209 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 6.8% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($12,920 vs. $13,856).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 52.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $5,931 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15% higher at Minnesota than at University of Iowa (about $4,991 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Iowa than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (76% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 27.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($12,552 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 170 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming Minnesota students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Minnesota (79.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

Iowa vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Minnesota? 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 Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $1,431 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,185 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($208 vs. $223).
• More Minnesota 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.