UNI vs. URI

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, IA with University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Rhode Island is larger than UNI based on total student enrollment (17,210 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 Rhode Island is in Kingston, RI (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Northern Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Rhode Island is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Northern Iowa 18:1; University of Rhode Island 17:1.

UNI vs. URI Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UNI or URI? 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 URI ($16,437 vs. $24,118).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Northern Iowa are 36% lower than at University of Rhode Island ($9,986 vs. $15,607).
• University of Rhode Island is 70.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UNI (about $7,006 more per year; $16,942.00 vs. $9,936.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.1% higher at URI than at University of Northern Iowa (about $15,434 more per year; $37,146.00 vs. $21,712.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Rhode Island than at University of Northern Iowa (96% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Rhode Island students is 114.5% larger than aid received by University of Northern Iowa students ($12,578 vs. $5,865).

UNI vs. URI Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Northern Iowa (1150) is the same as at URI (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Northern Iowa 1020/1280; University of Rhode Island 1020/1280.
• 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; URI - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: URI Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UNI students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at URI (3.58).
• UNI has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than URI (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 31.1% at UNI vs. 15.4% at URI.

UNI vs. URI Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UNI and URI? 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 Rhode Island's (63%).
• Graduates from University of Rhode Island earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than UNI graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,200 vs. $47,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Northern Iowa graduates have a $2,813 lower median loan debt than URI graduates ($20,625 vs. $23,438).
• Among borrowers, UNI graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than URI graduates ($213 vs. $242).
• More UNI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former URI students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 69%)

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.