Simpson College vs University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
Simpson College and the University of Northern Iowa, both esteemed institutions in Iowa, offer distinct educational experiences. Simpson College, a private liberal arts college, boasts a tight-knit community with a focus on personalized attention, while the University of Northern Iowa, a public research university, offers a wider range of academic programs and opportunities for research. With Simpson College's acceptance rate of 68% compared to the University of Northern Iowa's 86%, students may find varying levels of competitiveness in the admissions process. Furthermore, the student body demographics and popular majors differ between the two institutions, catering to diverse interests and aspirations. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key aspects of each university, including graduation rates, cost of attendance, and student life. Explore the table to discover which institution aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() Simpson College |
![]() University of Northern Iowa |
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Overview |
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Location | Indianola, Iowa | Cedar Falls, Iowa |
Campus setting | Town: Fringe | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 70.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Methodism | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 90.8% | 85.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
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SAT range | 890 - 1280 | 980 - 1190 |
ACT range | 20 - 27 | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 2.0% | 3.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 35.0% | 66.0% |
Total number of applicants | 1,330 | 4,772 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,208 | 4,094 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 286 | 1,553 |
Yield rate | 23.7% | 37.9% |
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) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $56,520 |
In state:
$21,409
Out of state:
$32,109
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Average net price | $20,986 | $15,231 |
Tuition | $43,124 |
In state:
$7,780
Out of state:
$18,480
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,680
Meal plan:
$4,974
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Room/dormitory:
$4,699
Meal plan:
$4,461
|
Available payment plans |
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|
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
100.0%
Average amount $34,582 |
76.0%
Average amount $6,227 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
73.0%
Average amount $5,158 |
47.0%
Average amount $5,115 |
Students taking out private loans |
16.0%
Average amount $10,172 |
8.0%
Average amount $7,770 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
1,172
Men 46.9% Women 53.1% |
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
Graduate students |
46
Men 39.1% Women 60.9% |
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | 28.9% | 9.5% |
International students | 1.4% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Fringe | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 1,264 | 3,412 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Iowa Arizona Texas Missouri Nebraska | Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Missouri |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 11:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 68.9% | 68.9% |
Dropout rate | 30.8% | 9.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 20.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Bachelor's Degrees)
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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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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