University of Northern Iowa (UNI) vs Saint Cloud State University (SCSU)

Envision yourself as a student, embarking on a journey of higher education. As you navigate the vast landscape of universities, two prominent institutions emerge: the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and Saint Cloud State University (SCSU). While both offer exceptional academic experiences, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your decision. UNI boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students, while SCSU maintains a slightly smaller student body, fostering a more intimate learning environment. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, such as popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, to determine which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
Saint Cloud State University logo

Saint Cloud State University

University of Northern Iowa logo

University of Northern Iowa

Overview

Location Saint Cloud, Minnesota 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 62.0% 81.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 94.3% 85.8%
Application fees $40
Undergraduate: $40

Graduate: $60
SAT range N/A 980 - 1190
ACT range 18 - 24 20 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 3.0%
Students submitting ACT score 39.0% 66.0%
Total number of applicants 4,228 4,772
Total number of admissions given out 3,988 4,094
Admitted students who chose to enroll 837 1,553
Yield rate 21.0% 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

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $22,317

Out of state: $31,157
In state: $21,409

Out of state: $32,109
Average net price $13,615 $15,231
Tuition
In state: $7,839

Out of state: $16,679
In state: $7,780

Out of state: $18,480
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $6,036

Meal plan: $3,311
Room/dormitory: $4,699

Meal plan: $4,461
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

83.0%
Average amount $6,233
76.0%
Average amount $6,227
Students receiving federal student loan 48.0%
Average amount $5,504
47.0%
Average amount $5,115
Students taking out private loans 12.0%
Average amount $10,683
8.0%
Average amount $7,770

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 8,956
Men 45.7% Women 54.3%
7,967
Men 38.9% Women 61.1%
Graduate students 1,818
Men 36.9% Women 63.1%
1,250
Men 25.9% Women 74.1%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Very Low
Out-of-state students N/A 9.5%
International students 10.2% 2.4%
Campus local/setting City: Small City: Small
Dormitory capacity 1,642 3,412
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Iowa Illinois Minnesota Wisconsin Missouri

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Education
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Liberal Arts
  • Education
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio 16:1 16:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission Higher Learning Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate 47.2% 68.9%
Dropout rate 16.2% 9.5%
Transferred out 34.9% 20.6%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $80,556
  • Year 3: $94,800
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,020
  • Year 2: $75,204
  • Year 3: $92,834
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,563
  • Year 2: $70,009
  • Year 3: $81,117
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,734
  • Year 2: $59,253
  • Year 3: $78,506
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,589
  • Year 2: $63,377
  • Year 3: $74,072
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,404
  • Year 2: $66,377
  • Year 3: $68,544
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $58,522
  • Year 3: $66,211
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $48,623
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $63,637
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,397
  • Year 2: $62,154
  • Year 3: $62,291
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,276
  • Year 2: $51,273
  • Year 3: $57,748
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $60,668
  • Year 2: $60,771
  • Year 3: $72,923
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,120
  • Year 2: $60,399
  • Year 3: $71,051
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,778
  • Year 2: $68,666
  • Year 3: $70,112
Construction Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,521
  • Year 2: $63,997
  • Year 3: $65,647
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,320
  • Year 2: $58,673
  • Year 3: $65,408
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $57,657
  • Year 3: $63,798
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,695
  • Year 2: $52,908
  • Year 3: $60,640
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,123
  • Year 2: $49,752
  • Year 3: $57,498
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $54,675
  • Year 2: $55,151
  • Year 3: $57,318
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $51,372
  • Year 2: $45,221
  • Year 3: $57,298

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