UNI vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Montana State University in Bozeman, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Montana State University is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (17,135 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); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Montana State University 18:1.

UNI vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or MSU? 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 Northern Iowa than MSU ($16,437 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 28.7% lower than at Montana State University ($9,986 vs. $14,000).
• University of Northern Iowa is 17.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $1,476 more per year; $9,936.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.3% higher at MSU than at University of Northern Iowa (about $11,575 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa as at Montana State University (83% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 100.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($11,763 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. MSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or MSU? 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 MSU and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Montana State University (1180) is 30 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming MSU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at MSU (3.5).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 20.3% at MSU.

UNI vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and MSU? 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 Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Northern Iowa earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,700 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $3,375 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($20,625 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($213 vs. $248).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 71%)

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.