UNI vs. Rutgers University-Newark

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with Rutgers University Newark in Newark, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Rutgers University Newark is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (11,315 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); Rutgers University Newark is in Newark, NJ (Large City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rutgers University Newark is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; Rutgers University Newark 14:1.

UNI vs. Rutgers University-Newark Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark ($16,437 vs. $18,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 37.9% lower than at Rutgers University Newark ($9,986 vs. $16,074).
• Rutgers University Newark is 73.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $7,314 more per year; $17,250.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.3% higher at Rutgers University-Newark than at University of Northern Iowa (about $15,050 more per year; $36,762.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Northern Iowa than at Rutgers University Newark (83% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Rutgers University Newark students is 196.8% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($17,405 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Rutgers University-Newark Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or Rutgers University-Newark? 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 Rutgers University-Newark and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is the same as at Rutgers University-Newark (1150).
• Incoming Rutgers University-Newark 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; Rutgers University Newark 1030/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; Rutgers University Newark 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Rutgers University-Newark - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Rutgers University-Newark (3.23).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Rutgers University-Newark (71.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 7.1% at Rutgers University-Newark.

UNI vs. Rutgers University-Newark Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Rutgers University-Newark? 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).

• Rutgers University Newark's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Northern Iowa's (67%).
• Graduates from Rutgers University Newark earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,590 lower median loan debt than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($20,625 vs. $22,215).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rutgers University-Newark graduates ($213 vs. $229).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Rutgers University-Newark students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 68%)

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.