UNI vs. Queens College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with CUNY Queens College in Queens, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

CUNY Queens College is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (15,965 students vs. 9,278 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, IA (Small City setting); CUNY Queens College is in Queens, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. CUNY Queens College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; CUNY Queens College 13:1.

UNI vs. Queens College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Queens 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 CUNY Queens College than UNI ($5,728 vs. $16,437).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 41.7% lower than at CUNY Queens College ($9,986 vs. $17,132).
• University of Northern Iowa is 31.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Queens College (about $2,398 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $7,538.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.2% higher at UNI than at CUNY Queens College (about $6,224 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $15,488.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at CUNY Queens College (83% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by CUNY Queens College students is 54.4% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($9,057 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Queens College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or Queens 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 Queens College and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is the same as at Queens College (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; CUNY Queens College 1010/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Queens College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.61 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Queens College (3.0).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Queens College (64.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 12.3% at Queens College.

UNI vs. Queens College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Queens 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 Northern Iowa's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than CUNY Queens College's (53%).
• Graduates from CUNY Queens College earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Queens College graduates have a $9,625 lower median loan debt than UNI graduates ($11,000 vs. $20,625).
• Among borrowers, Queens College graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNI graduates ($113 vs. $213).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Queens College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 56%)

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.