University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (UMN) vs University of Iowa (UIowa)

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and the University of Iowa. While both offer exceptional academic opportunities, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the nuances that set these universities apart. Discover the differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the unique strengths and offerings of each institution to determine which aligns best with your aspirations and goals.

	University of Iowa	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Overview
Location	Iowa City, Iowa	Minneapolis, Minnesota
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Large
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	88.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	86.2%	73.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1130 - 1350	1310 - 1490
ACT range	22 - 29	27 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	18.0%	7.0%
Students submitting ACT score	65.0%	41.0%
Total number of applicants	22,434	35,905
Total number of admissions given out	19,340	26,295
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,521	6,883
Yield rate	23.4%	26.2%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,686 Out of state: $46,649	In state: $29,416 Out of state: $47,980
Average net price	$17,599	$17,468
Tuition	In state: $8,356 Out of state: $30,319	In state: $13,532 Out of state: $32,096
Room & board	$11,780	Room/dormitory: $6,654 Meal plan: $4,860
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	71.0% Average amount $11,007	65.0% Average amount $10,362
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,282	37.0% Average amount $5,188
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $16,747	10.0% Average amount $14,830

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,608 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%	36,209 Men 45.4% Women 54.6%
Graduate students	8,301 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%	16,167 Men 43.3% Women 56.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	39.4%	28.7%
International students	5.4%	9.7%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	6,660	7,558
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin California	Minnesota Wisconsin Illinois North Dakota California

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

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.7%	84.2%
Dropout rate	7.2%	5.2%
Transferred out	17.7%	9.3%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Dentistry (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $124,702 Year 2: $140,032 Year 3: $149,958 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $97,739 Year 2: $121,673 Year 3: $129,233 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $117,587 Year 2: $112,319 Year 3: $124,271 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $76,570 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,198 Computer Systems Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,084 Year 2: $73,446 Year 3: $83,343 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,239 Year 2: $72,286 Year 3: $82,926 Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,261 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $82,547 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,091 Year 2: $72,022 Year 3: $79,753 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,745 Year 2: $70,176 Year 3: $79,071 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,508 Year 2: $68,943 Year 3: $78,938

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main academic strengths of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (UMN) compared to the University of Iowa?

UMN is particularly strong in engineering, medicine, and the sciences, boasting a wider range of specialized programs and research opportunities. Iowa excels in its renowned writing programs (Iowa Writers' Workshop), healthcare, and business, with a strong focus on practical experience and clinical training.
How does the cost of attendance compare between UMN and the University of Iowa?

Generally, the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room, and board) is comparable between the two universities, especially for in-state students. However, specific program costs and financial aid packages can vary. It's recommended to check the official websites for the most up-to-date information and compare your individual financial aid offers.
What is the campus environment like at UMN versus the University of Iowa?

UMN has a large, urban campus spread across Minneapolis and St. Paul, offering a vibrant city experience with diverse cultural opportunities and a bustling student life. The University of Iowa has a more compact campus located in Iowa City, a smaller city with a strong sense of community and a focus on arts and literature.
How do the student populations differ at UMN and the University of Iowa?

UMN has a significantly larger student body, providing a broader range of social and academic opportunities. The University of Iowa has a smaller, more close-knit student population, fostering a stronger sense of community and potentially easier access to resources and professors.
What are the research opportunities like at UMN and the University of Iowa?

Both universities are major research institutions. UMN has a broader scope of research across various disciplines, with extensive funding and numerous research centers. The University of Iowa is also a strong research institution, particularly in healthcare and the humanities, with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration.
How does the availability of extracurricular activities compare between the two universities?

UMN, with its larger student body and urban location, offers a wider array of extracurricular activities, including a diverse range of student organizations, clubs, and athletic programs. The University of Iowa also provides a robust selection of extracurriculars, though perhaps on a smaller scale, with a strong emphasis on arts, writing, and community involvement.
What are the career services like at UMN and the University of Iowa?

Both universities offer comprehensive career services, including career counseling, resume workshops, and job fairs. UMN, with its broader industry connections, may offer more opportunities in certain fields, particularly in engineering and technology. The University of Iowa has strong connections in healthcare, writing, and business, providing tailored career support in those areas.
How does the location of each university impact the student experience?

UMN's location in the Twin Cities provides access to a thriving metropolitan area with numerous internship opportunities, cultural events, and a diverse job market. The University of Iowa's location in Iowa City offers a more relaxed environment with a strong arts and literary scene, a lower cost of living, and a close-knit community feel.
Which university is better for a student interested in the arts?

The University of Iowa is particularly renowned for its arts programs, especially its writing programs (Iowa Writers' Workshop). UMN also has strong arts programs, but Iowa's reputation and focus on the arts are generally considered superior.
Which university is better for a student interested in STEM fields?

Both universities have strong STEM programs. UMN generally has a broader range of STEM programs and a larger research infrastructure, making it a strong choice for students in engineering, the sciences, and related fields. However, the University of Iowa also has excellent STEM programs, particularly in areas like medicine and engineering.

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