The University of Iowa vs. University of Minnesota
A side-by-side comparison of Iowa and Minnesota — acceptance rates (79.9% vs. 78.9%), SAT scores (1130–1320 vs. 1310–1460), tuition, financial aid, and majors, drawn from each school's official Common Data Set.
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Acceptance rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly admissions
Iowa does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized tests
Iowa is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class rank
Iowa does not report this.
Not reported
Admissions factors
How Iowa weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Iowa's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student-faculty ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by gender
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Acceptance rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly action
Minnesota offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized tests
Minnesota is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class rank
Where Minnesota's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 39.87% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Minnesota does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions factors
How Minnesota weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Minnesota's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student-faculty ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by gender
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
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Iowa vs. Minnesota: frequently asked questions
Minnesota is more selective: it admits about 78.9% of applicants, compared with 79.9% at Iowa. Both are competitive, and your odds depend on far more than the overall rate.
The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1130–1320 at Iowa and 1310–1460 at Minnesota on the SAT. Treat the ranges as a benchmark — a score inside or above a school's range keeps you competitive there.
Iowa has the lower published price for out-of-state students — $33,710 in tuition and fees versus $41,368 at Minnesota, a gap of about $7,658 a year before financial aid.
Minnesota graduates a higher share of its students within six years — 85% versus 76% at Iowa.
Minnesota, and only there. Minnesota's Common Data Set rates the application essay considered, while Iowa reports that it does not consider the essay at all — so an application there rests on grades, course rigor, and test scores.
Source: The University of Iowa Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Iowa. Banner photo by Billwhittaker, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Source: University of Minnesota Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. In-State Cost and Out-of-State Cost are from the 2024-2025 edition. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Minnesota. Banner photo by August Schwerdfeger, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).