UNI vs. University of North Dakota

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of North Dakota is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (15,019 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 North Dakota is in Grand Forks, ND (Small City setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of North Dakota is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of North Dakota 17:1.

UNI vs. University of North Dakota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or University of North Dakota? 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 University of North Dakota ($16,437 vs. $18,076).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 12.3% lower than at University of North Dakota ($9,986 vs. $11,390).
• University of North Dakota is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $1,015 more per year; $10,951.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.4% higher at UNI than at University of North Dakota (about $6,142 more per year; $21,712.00 vs. $15,570.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of North Dakota than at University of Northern Iowa (86% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of North Dakota students is 13.6% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($6,663 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. University of North Dakota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UNI or University of North Dakota? 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 University of North Dakota and UNI.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of North Dakota (1200) is 50 points higher than at UNI (1150).
• Incoming University of North Dakota students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at UNI).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; University of North Dakota 1110/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 19/26; University of North Dakota 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UNI - Test optional; University of North Dakota - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of North Dakota Aug 17, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at University of North Dakota (3.5).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than University of North Dakota (76.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 34.7% at University of North Dakota.

UNI vs. University of North Dakota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and University of North Dakota? 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 University of North Dakota's (54%).
• Graduates from University of North Dakota earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,700 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than University of North Dakota graduates ($20,625 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of North Dakota graduates ($213 vs. $253).
• More University of North Dakota graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNI students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.