Iowa vs. University of Missouri-St Louis

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with University of Missouri St Louis in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than University of Missouri-St Louis based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 14,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of Missouri St Louis is in Saint Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri St Louis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of Missouri St Louis 13:1.

Iowa vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri St Louis than Iowa ($14,008 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 4.3% lower than at University of Missouri St Louis ($12,920 vs. $13,502).
• University of Missouri St Louis is 25.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $2,829 more per year; $14,112.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at University of Missouri-St Louis than at University of Iowa (about $1,741 more per year; $35,112.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri St Louis than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri St Louis students is 73.3% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($17,096 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri-St Louis and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 50 points higher than at University of Missouri-St Louis (1180).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at University of Missouri-St Louis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of Missouri St Louis 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of Missouri St Louis 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; University of Missouri-St Louis - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of Missouri-St Louis (3.5).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than University of Missouri-St Louis (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 12.6% at University of Missouri-St Louis.

Iowa vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri St Louis's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than University of Missouri-St Louis graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri St Louis graduates have a $629 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,987 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-St Louis graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($217 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-St Louis students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 60%)

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.