University of Iowa (UIowa) vs U of A

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the University of Iowa (UIowa) and the University of Arizona (UArizona), situated in the vibrant Sonoran Desert, offer distinct educational experiences. UIowa boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. In contrast, UArizona's lower acceptance rate indicates a more selective admissions process. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic programs, UIowa excels in fields like nursing, health professions, and engineering, while UArizona shines in areas such as business, management, and social sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional factors that can help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	University of Arizona	University of Iowa
Overview
Location	Tucson, Arizona	Iowa City, Iowa
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	84.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	87.3%	86.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $85	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1120 - 1370	1130 - 1350
ACT range	21 - 29	22 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	13.0%	18.0%
Students submitting ACT score	19.0%	65.0%
Total number of applicants	48,065	22,434
Total number of admissions given out	41,946	19,340
Admitted students who chose to enroll	8,436	4,521
Yield rate	20.1%	23.4%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $30,136 Out of state: $54,658	In state: $24,686 Out of state: $46,649
Average net price	$17,242	$17,599
Tuition	In state: $11,299 Out of state: $35,821	In state: $8,356 Out of state: $30,319
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $8,400 Meal plan: $5,050	$11,780
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	92.0% Average amount $13,790	71.0% Average amount $11,007
Students receiving federal student loan	24.0% Average amount $4,845	44.0% Average amount $5,282
Students taking out private loans	3.0% Average amount $20,814	10.0% Average amount $16,747

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	37,434 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%	21,608 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%
Graduate students	10,840 Men 44.5% Women 55.5%	8,301 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	48.8%	39.4%
International students	6.5%	5.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	7,036	6,660
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Arizona California Washington Illinois Colorado	Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin California

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Engineering Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Health Professions Engineering Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	15:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	64.3%	73.7%
Dropout rate	14.3%	7.2%
Transferred out	19.6%	17.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Physics (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $88,673 Year 2: $123,527 Year 3: $127,192 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $110,426 Year 2: $117,473 Year 3: $122,962 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $110,630 Year 2: $103,746 Year 3: $104,908 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $100,116 Year 2: $83,388 Year 3: $98,461 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,677 Year 2: $92,743 Year 3: $98,271 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $96,308 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $89,806 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $89,884 Mining and Mineral Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,657 Year 2: $73,035 Year 3: $87,557 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,627 Year 2: $79,199 Year 3: $86,387 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,284 Year 2: $74,953 Year 3: $83,742	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $125,938 Year 2: $134,155 Year 3: $142,171 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $85,649 Year 2: $112,215 Year 3: $121,442 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,222 Year 2: $96,991 Year 3: $113,045 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $107,534 Year 2: $103,913 Year 3: $108,049 Public Health (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $65,863 Year 2: $69,757 Year 3: $81,687 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $61,283 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $81,057 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,973 Year 2: $69,657 Year 3: $80,787 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,231 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $80,592 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,094 Year 2: $65,387 Year 3: $78,583 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $64,942 Year 2: $64,990 Year 3: $71,106

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Iowa and the University of Arizona?

The University of Iowa and the University of Arizona, while both large public universities, differ significantly in location, campus culture, and academic strengths. Iowa is located in the Midwest, offering a traditional college town experience with a strong emphasis on writing and the arts. Arizona, situated in the Southwest, boasts a more diverse student body, a focus on research, particularly in space sciences and optics, and a warmer climate. Iowa is generally considered to have a lower cost of attendance, while Arizona offers a more vibrant and diverse urban environment close to the campus.
Which university is better for students interested in writing and literature?

The University of Iowa is renowned for its Writers' Workshop, a prestigious graduate program in creative writing. This program significantly influences the undergraduate writing programs, making Iowa a strong choice for aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts. While Arizona offers solid English and creative writing programs, Iowa's reputation in this area is unparalleled.
Which university is stronger in STEM fields, particularly space sciences and optics?

The University of Arizona excels in STEM fields, especially space sciences and optics. It has a strong research focus and numerous facilities dedicated to these areas. While the University of Iowa has reputable STEM programs, Arizona's specific strengths and resources in these fields give it a distinct advantage.
How do the campus environments compare?

The University of Iowa offers a classic college town atmosphere in Iowa City, with a strong sense of community and a focus on campus life. The University of Arizona, located in Tucson, provides a more urban environment with access to a larger city's amenities and cultural attractions. Arizona's campus is also known for its desert landscape and outdoor recreational opportunities, while Iowa's campus is more traditional and features the Iowa River.
What is the cost of attendance difference between the University of Iowa and the University of Arizona?

Generally, the University of Iowa has a lower cost of attendance compared to the University of Arizona, especially for out-of-state students. However, the exact cost varies depending on residency status, specific program fees, and financial aid packages. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.
How do the student demographics compare at the University of Iowa and the University of Arizona?

The University of Arizona generally has a more diverse student body compared to the University of Iowa. Arizona attracts students from a wider range of geographic locations and cultural backgrounds. While Iowa is working to increase its diversity, Arizona's location and outreach efforts contribute to a more heterogeneous student population.
Which university is better for students interested in pre-med programs?

Both the University of Iowa and the University of Arizona offer strong pre-med programs. The University of Iowa has a highly regarded medical school directly affiliated with the undergraduate program, providing excellent research and clinical opportunities. The University of Arizona also has a well-respected medical school and offers various pre-med resources. The 'better' choice depends on individual preferences regarding program structure, research interests, and location.
What are the athletic programs like at each university?

Both the University of Iowa (Hawkeyes) and the University of Arizona (Wildcats) have strong athletic programs and compete in NCAA Division I. Iowa is known for its wrestling program and strong football tradition. Arizona is recognized for its basketball and baseball programs. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity sports and a vibrant athletic culture.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. The internship opportunities available may vary depending on the student's major and location preferences. The University of Arizona, being located in a larger metropolitan area, might offer a wider range of internship opportunities in certain fields, while Iowa's strong alumni network can provide valuable connections in the Midwest.
What is the typical class size at each university?

As large public universities, both the University of Iowa and the University of Arizona have a mix of large lecture classes and smaller, more intimate courses. Introductory courses tend to be larger, while upper-level courses are typically smaller. Students can expect to encounter both types of learning environments at both institutions. Specific class sizes will vary depending on the department and course level.

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