Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) vs University of Northern Iowa (UNI)
Southeast Missouri State University and University of Northern Iowa, both public universities with rich histories, offer distinct educational experiences. Southeast Missouri State, nestled in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, boasts a smaller student body, with an acceptance rate of 88% and a graduation rate of 48%. Its popular majors include education, business, and health professions. In contrast, the University of Northern Iowa, located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, has a larger student population and a slightly higher acceptance rate of 90%. With a graduation rate of 62%, UNI is known for its strong programs in education, business, and nursing. While both universities offer a diverse range of academic opportunities, their unique characteristics may appeal to different students. Explore the comparison table below to discover which institution better aligns with your aspirations and goals.
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![]() Southeast Missouri State University |
![]() University of Northern Iowa |
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Overview |
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Location | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Cedar Falls, Iowa |
Campus setting | City: Small | 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 | 74.0% | 81.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 79.3% | 85.8% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | N/A | 980 - 1190 |
ACT range | N/A | 20 - 26 |
Students submitting SAT score | 3.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 66.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 7,213 | 4,772 |
Total number of admissions given out | 5,720 | 4,094 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,487 | 1,553 |
Yield rate | 26.0% | 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 |
In state:
$24,274
Out of state:
$30,844
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In state:
$21,409
Out of state:
$32,109
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Average net price | $13,291 | $15,231 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,461
Out of state:
$14,031
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In state:
$7,780
Out of state:
$18,480
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Room & board | $9,974 |
Room/dormitory:
$4,699
Meal plan:
$4,461
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
97.0%
Average amount $8,798 |
76.0%
Average amount $6,227 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
44.0%
Average amount $5,108 |
47.0%
Average amount $5,115 |
Students taking out private loans |
4.0%
Average amount $8,660 |
8.0%
Average amount $7,770 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
8,629
Men 39.1% Women 60.9% |
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1% |
Graduate students |
1,222
Men 39.3% Women 60.7% |
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
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Out-of-state students | 22.1% | 9.5% |
International students | 6.9% | 2.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 2,592 | 3,412 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Missouri Illinois Tennessee Arkansas Texas | 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 | 20:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 54.0% | 68.9% |
Dropout rate | 42.9% | 9.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 20.6% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Engineering Technology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (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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