Iowa vs. UIU

University of Iowa and Upper Iowa University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Iowa
Upper Iowa University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Iowa (83.6% admitted vs 96.5%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1070.
  • Cheaper after aid: UIU. Average net price is $20,426 vs $21,765 at Iowa.
  • Graduation: Iowa 71% vs UIU 45%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Iowa $59,800 vs UIU $42,100 (median).
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Key differences

University of Iowa Upper Iowa University
Acceptance rate
Iowa more selective
Iowa83.6%
UIU96.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Iowa higher
Iowa1130-1330
UIU970-1160
Average net price
UIU $1,339 less
Iowa$21,765
UIU$20,426
In-state tuition
Iowa $8,192 less
Iowa$11,283
UIU$19,475
Out-of-state tuition
UIU $13,896 less
Iowa$33,371
UIU$19,475
Graduation rate
Iowa +26 pts
Iowa71%
UIU45%
Median earnings (10 years)
Iowa +$17,700
Iowa$59,800
UIU$42,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

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  • Applied
  • Iowa 27,770
  • UIU 452
  • Admitted
  • Iowa 23,222
  • UIU 436
  • Acceptance rate
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • UIU 96.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • UIU 33.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Iowa 1230
  • UIU 1070
  • Typical ACT score
  • Iowa 24
  • UIU 17
  • Average high school GPA
  • Iowa 3.81
  • UIU 3.34
  • Typical high school grades
  • Iowa A-
  • UIU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Iowa Challenging
  • UIU Extremely Easy
  • Applicant competition
  • Iowa
  • UIU
  • SAT range
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • UIU 970-1160
  • ACT range
  • Iowa 21-28
  • UIU 14-21
  • Submit test scores
  • Iowa Test optional
  • UIU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • UIU
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Iowa $11,283
  • UIU $19,475
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Iowa $33,371
  • UIU $19,475
  • Room & board
  • Iowa $12,920
  • UIU $10,121
  • Average net price
  • Iowa $21,765
  • UIU $20,426
  • Average grant aid
  • Iowa $9,865
  • UIU $13,596
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Iowa 76%
  • UIU 97%
  • Graduation rate
  • Iowa 71%
  • UIU 45%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Iowa $59,800
  • UIU $42,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Iowa 70%
  • UIU 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Iowa $21,616
  • UIU $24,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Iowa $223
  • UIU $248
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Iowa 16:1
  • UIU 25:1
  • Popular majors
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • UIU
    • Business (40%)
    • Human Services (17%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (10%)
    • Education (5%)
  • Location
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • UIU Fayette, IA
  • Setting
  • Iowa Small City
  • UIU Remote Rural
  • Total enrollment
  • Iowa 30,779
  • UIU 3,941
  • Type
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • UIU Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Iowa #233
  • UIU #938

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Iowa is larger than UIU based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 3,941 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Upper Iowa University is in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting).
  • University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Upper Iowa University 25:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 21.7% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,121 vs. $12,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 71.4% higher at Iowa than at Upper Iowa University (about $13,896 more per year; $33,371 vs. $19,475).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Upper Iowa University than at University of Iowa (97% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Upper Iowa University students is 37.8% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($13,596 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Iowa than at UIU (24 vs. 17, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Iowa and UIU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Iowa average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.47 higher than at UIU (3.34).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 33.9% at UIU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $2,384 lower median loan debt than UIU graduates ($21,616 vs. $24,000).
  • Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UIU graduates ($223 vs. $248).
  • More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation (70% vs. 50%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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