UNI vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (24,393 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); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

UNI vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or Nebraska? 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 Nebraska ($16,437 vs. $18,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 29.3% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($9,986 vs. $14,120).
• University of Nebraska Lincoln is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $498 more per year; $10,434.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at Nebraska than at University of Northern Iowa (about $6,872 more per year; $28,584.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at University of Northern Iowa (94% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students is 79.7% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($10,541 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Nebraska Lincoln (1210) is 60 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming Nebraska students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Nebraska students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at UNI (3.61).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than Nebraska (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

UNI vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and Nebraska? 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).

• The graduation rate at UNI is the same as at University of Nebraska Lincoln (67% vs. 67%).
• Graduates from University of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of about $1,900 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,600 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $1,075 lower median loan debt than Nebraska graduates ($20,625 vs. $21,700).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Nebraska graduates ($213 vs. $224).
• More Nebraska graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 72%)

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.