Western Washington University (WWU) vs University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
Western Washington University and University of Northern Iowa, both public institutions with rich academic traditions, offer distinct educational experiences. Western Washington, nestled in the vibrant city of Bellingham, boasts a higher acceptance rate, attracting a diverse student body from various backgrounds. In contrast, University of Northern Iowa, located in the charming town of Cedar Falls, maintains a smaller student population and a higher graduation rate. While Western Washington excels in fields like Business, Psychology, and Biology, University of Northern Iowa shines in programs such as Education, Nursing, and Health Professions. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these universities' unique strengths, costs, and student life, helping you make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of Northern Iowa |
![]() Western Washington University |
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Overview |
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Location | Cedar Falls, Iowa | Bellingham, Washington |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 81.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.8% | 96.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$100
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SAT range | 980 - 1190 | 1090 - 1310 |
ACT range | 20 - 26 | 22 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | 16.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 66.0% | 3.0% |
Total number of applicants | 4,772 | 10,580 |
Total number of admissions given out | 4,094 | 10,167 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,553 | 2,874 |
Yield rate | 37.9% | 28.3% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$21,409
Out of state:
$32,109
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In state:
$26,634
Out of state:
$43,861
|
Average net price | $15,231 | $11,388 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,780
Out of state:
$18,480
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In state:
$7,572
Out of state:
$24,799
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,699
Meal plan:
$4,461
|
$13,079 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
76.0%
Average amount $6,227 |
82.0%
Average amount $7,112 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,115 |
29.0%
Average amount $4,929 |
Students taking out private loans |
8.0%
Average amount $7,770 |
3.0%
Average amount $15,435 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
14,019
Men 42.6% Women 57.4% |
Graduate students |
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
1,106
Men 36.4% Women 63.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 9.5% | N/A |
International students | 2.4% | 1.0% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,412 | 3,985 |
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 Missouri | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.9% | 67.7% |
Dropout rate | 9.5% | 30.6% |
Transferred out | 20.6% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemistry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Design and Applied Arts (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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