Head-to-head comparison
University of Northern Iowa vs Coe College: which has better ROI?
Option A Cedar Falls, IA
University of Northern Iowa
- Net price / year
- $15,901
- Earnings, 10 years
- $55,177
- Payback
- 9.3 yrs
Option B Cedar Rapids, IA
Coe College
- Net price / year
- $18,745
- Earnings, 10 years
- $57,125
- Payback
- 8.6 yrs
Coe College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $74,980 in 8.6 years versus 9.3 years at University of Northern Iowa, on median earnings of $57,125 vs $55,177 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Northern Iowa | Coe College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,901 | $18,745 |
| Total net cost | $63,604 | $74,980 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,177 | $57,125 |
| Median debt | $19,691 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 9.3 yrs | 8.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $72,736 | $100,320 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Northern Iowa or Coe College?
University of Northern Iowa, at $15,901 a year after aid versus $18,745 — a gap of $2,844 a year, or $11,376 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Northern Iowa or Coe College graduates earn more?
Coe College graduates report a median $57,125 ten years after entry, $1,948 more than the $55,177 at University of Northern Iowa. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Northern Iowa or Coe College?
University of Northern Iowa: its completers carry a median $19,691 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Coe College, a difference of $7,309. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at University of Northern Iowa, against 66% at Coe College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.