University of Iowa (UIowa) vs West Virginia University (WVU)

Nestled in the heart of the Midwest, the University of Iowa (UI) and West Virginia University (WVU) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. While both universities share a commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing prospective students with the information they need to make an informed decision about their academic journey. Whether you're drawn to UI's strong liberal arts tradition or WVU's focus on research and innovation, this comprehensive analysis will help you discover the institution that best aligns with your aspirations and goals.

	University of Iowa	West Virginia University
Overview
Location	Iowa City, Iowa	Morgantown, West Virginia
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	88.0%	81.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	86.2%	89.8%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1130 - 1350	1030 - 1230
ACT range	22 - 29	21 - 27
Students submitting SAT score	18.0%	57.0%
Students submitting ACT score	65.0%	38.0%
Total number of applicants	22,434	17,074
Total number of admissions given out	19,340	15,336
Admitted students who chose to enroll	4,521	4,313
Yield rate	23.4%	28.1%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $24,686 Out of state: $46,649	In state: $21,756 Out of state: $38,100
Average net price	$17,599	$13,422
Tuition	In state: $8,356 Out of state: $30,319	In state: $8,976 Out of state: $25,320
Room & board	$11,780	Room/dormitory: $6,184 Meal plan: $5,504
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	71.0% Average amount $11,007	89.0% Average amount $10,867
Students receiving federal student loan	44.0% Average amount $5,282	52.0% Average amount $5,294
Students taking out private loans	10.0% Average amount $16,747	15.0% Average amount $16,332

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	21,608 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%	19,599 Men 47.9% Women 52.1%
Graduate students	8,301 Men 46.1% Women 53.9%	5,875 Men 44.4% Women 55.6%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	39.4%	55.3%
International students	5.4%	5.3%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	6,660	6,956
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	West Virginia Pennsylvania Virginia Maryland Ohio

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Engineering Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies	Health Professions Business Engineering Education Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	15:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	73.7%	63.9%
Dropout rate	7.2%	11.3%
Transferred out	17.7%	22.5%
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: $112,323 Year 2: $125,015 Year 3: $143,709 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $103,140 Year 2: $118,155 Year 3: $119,358 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,573 Year 2: $94,763 Year 3: $96,536 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $77,732 Year 2: $81,997 Year 3: $91,425 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $71,711 Year 2: $81,333 Year 3: $82,001 Petroleum Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,468 Year 2: $61,303 Year 3: $79,782 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,292 Year 2: $68,047 Year 3: $77,798 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,506 Year 2: $62,012 Year 3: $77,273 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,040 Year 2: $65,238 Year 3: $76,205 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,477 Year 2: $66,069 Year 3: $76,022

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Iowa and West Virginia University?

The University of Iowa (Iowa) and West Virginia University (WVU) differ significantly in location, academic focus, and campus culture. Iowa is located in Iowa City, a vibrant college town in the Midwest, and is known for its strong writing programs, particularly the Iowa Writers' Workshop. WVU, situated in Morgantown, West Virginia, offers a more rural setting and is recognized for its engineering, natural resources, and health sciences programs. Iowa tends to have a larger undergraduate population and a more liberal arts-focused atmosphere, while WVU has a stronger emphasis on research and professional programs.
Where are the University of Iowa and West Virginia University located?

The University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, Iowa. West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, West Virginia.
How do the academic reputations of the University of Iowa and West Virginia University compare?

Both universities are respected institutions, but they have different areas of strength. The University of Iowa is particularly well-regarded for its creative writing programs, medicine, and law. West Virginia University is known for its programs in engineering, particularly petroleum and chemical engineering, as well as its natural resources and health sciences programs. Rankings vary depending on the specific program and ranking source, so it's best to research the specific departments you're interested in.
What is the typical student life like at the University of Iowa versus West Virginia University?

Student life at Iowa is centered around a classic college town experience, with a lively downtown area, a strong emphasis on arts and culture, and active student organizations. WVU offers a more outdoorsy and spirited atmosphere, with a focus on school pride and a strong tailgating culture. Both universities offer a wide range of extracurricular activities, but the specific opportunities and traditions differ based on their locations and student demographics.
How do the costs of attending the University of Iowa and West Virginia University compare?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, the University of Iowa and West Virginia University have similar tuition rates for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at the University of Iowa tends to be higher than at West Virginia University. It's important to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website and consider factors like room and board, books, and personal expenses when comparing the overall cost.
What are the popular majors at the University of Iowa and West Virginia University?

At the University of Iowa, popular majors include Business, Biology, Engineering, Journalism, and various programs within the College of Liberal Arts. At West Virginia University, popular majors include Engineering (especially petroleum and chemical), Business, Nursing, and programs related to natural resources and energy.
What are the admission requirements for the University of Iowa and West Virginia University?

Admission requirements for both universities typically include a high school diploma, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT, though test-optional policies may apply), transcripts, and letters of recommendation. The specific requirements and average GPA/test scores of admitted students can be found on each university's admissions website. Generally, the University of Iowa may have slightly more competitive admission standards overall, but this can vary by program.
What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available at the University of Iowa and West Virginia University?

Both the University of Iowa and West Virginia University offer a range of financial aid options, including need-based grants, merit-based scholarships, and student loans. Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for federal and state aid. Each university also offers its own institutional scholarships, with varying eligibility criteria. Check the financial aid websites of both universities for specific details and deadlines.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from the University of Iowa and West Virginia University?

Career opportunities after graduation depend on your major and career goals. The University of Iowa's location in a larger Midwestern state provides access to opportunities in various industries, including healthcare, finance, and technology. West Virginia University's location in the Appalachian region offers opportunities in energy, natural resources, and healthcare. Both universities have career services departments that provide resources and support to help students find internships and jobs.
How do the campus sizes and environments compare between the University of Iowa and West Virginia University?

The University of Iowa has a more compact campus located in the heart of Iowa City, making it easy to walk between classes and access downtown amenities. West Virginia University has a larger, more spread-out campus in Morgantown, with a mix of urban and rural elements. The University of Iowa's campus is generally considered more integrated with the surrounding city, while WVU's campus has a more distinct and self-contained feel.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.