University of Iowa vs University of Kansas

University of Iowa and University of Kansas are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Iowa is more selective with a 84.7% acceptance rate compared to University of Kansas's 88.2%. Average SAT scores are 1220 and 1186 respectively.

Cost: University of Kansas offers a lower average net price at $17,365, which is $4,033 less than University of Iowa ($21,398). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median salary of $64,762 ten years after enrollment, which is $2,817 more than University of Kansas graduates ($61,945).

Graduation: University of Iowa leads with a 73.4% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 89.3% vs 85.1%.

Campus Size: University of Iowa is the larger campus with 21,691 total students, while University of Kansas has 19,857.

Bottom Line: University of Kansas wins on affordability while University of Iowa leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.