Iowa vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than University of St Thomas based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 9,410 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

Iowa vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or University of St Thomas? 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 University of St Thomas ($21,765 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 13.7% lower than at University of St Thomas ($12,920 vs. $14,969).
• University of St Thomas is 382.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $43,115 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63% higher at University of St Thomas than at University of Iowa (about $21,027 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at University of Iowa (95% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 260.7% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($35,587 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 110 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; University of St Thomas - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• University of St Thomas has a higher acceptance rate (85.4%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

Iowa vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than University of Iowa's (71%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $4,384 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($21,616 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($223 vs. $268).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.