Iowa vs. William Jewell College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with William Jewell College in Liberty, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than William Jewell College based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 959 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); William Jewell College is in Liberty, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Jewell College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; William Jewell College 10:1.

Iowa vs. William Jewell College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College than Iowa ($19,294 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jewell College are 12.4% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,320 vs. $12,920).
• William Jewell College is 82.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $9,327 more per year; $20,610.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 61.9% higher at Iowa than at William Jewell College (about $12,761 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $20,610.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jewell College than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Jewell College students is 67.8% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($16,552 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. William Jewell College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 50 points higher than at William Jewell College (1180).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 21 at William Jewell College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; William Jewell College 1080/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; William Jewell College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; William Jewell College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at William Jewell College (3.61).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than William Jewell College (38.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 33% at William Jewell College.

Iowa vs. William Jewell College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and William Jewell College? 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 William Jewell College's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than William Jewell College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $48,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $3,384 lower median loan debt than William Jewell College graduates ($21,616 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than William Jewell College graduates ($223 vs. $258).
• More William Jewell College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.