UIU vs. Northland College

Comparable Facts

Compare Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA with Northland College in Ashland, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Upper Iowa University is larger than Northland College based on total student enrollment (3,941 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Upper Iowa University is located in Fayette, IA (Remote Rural setting); Northland College is in Ashland, WI (Remote Town setting).
• Upper Iowa University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northland College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Upper Iowa University 25:1; Northland College 5:1.

UIU vs. Northland College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIU or Northland College? 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 Upper Iowa University than Northland College ($20,426 vs. $23,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Upper Iowa University are 12.8% lower than at Northland College ($10,121 vs. $11,600).
• Northland College is 128% more expensive for in-state tuition than UIU (about $24,928 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 128% higher at Northland College than at Upper Iowa University (about $24,928 more per year; $44,403.00 vs. $19,475.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northland College than at Upper Iowa University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northland College students is 146.9% larger than aid received by Upper Iowa University students ($33,572 vs. $13,596).

UIU vs. Northland College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UIU or Northland College? 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 Northland College and UIU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Upper Iowa University (1070) is 20 points higher than at Northland College (1050).
• Incoming Northland College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at UIU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 970/1160; Northland College 950/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Upper Iowa University 14/21; Northland College 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIU - Test optional; Northland College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman UIU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.34) than students at Northland College (3.3).
• UIU has a higher acceptance rate (96.5%) than Northland College (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.9% at UIU vs. 9.6% at Northland College.

UIU vs. Northland College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIU and Northland College? 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).

• Northland College's six-year graduation rate (48%) is higher than Upper Iowa University's (45%).
• Graduates from Upper Iowa University earn a median of about $7,200 more per year than Northland College graduates about ten years after starting college ($42,100 vs. $34,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Upper Iowa University graduates have a $2,943 lower median loan debt than Northland College graduates ($24,000 vs. $26,943).
• Among borrowers, UIU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northland College graduates ($248 vs. $278).
• More Northland College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UIU students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 50%)

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.