Coe College vs. ISU

Deciding between Coe College and Iowa State University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Coe College
Iowa State University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Coe College Cedar Rapids, IA
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Setting
  • Coe College Midsize City
  • ISU Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • Coe College 1,195
  • ISU 30,380
  • Type
  • Coe College Private 4 Year
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Coe College #373
  • ISU #343
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Coe College Presbyterian Church (USA)
  • ISU -
  • Status
  • Coe College Non-profit
  • ISU Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Coe College
  • ISU

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Coe College $54,666
  • ISU $10,787
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Coe College $54,666
  • ISU $28,881
  • Room & Board
  • Coe College $11,790
  • ISU $10,808
  • Average Net Price
  • Coe College $20,864
  • ISU $17,779
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Coe College $46,468
  • ISU $10,791
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Coe College 100%
  • ISU 77%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Coe College 8,633
  • ISU 23,095
  • Admitted
  • Coe College 5,529
  • ISU 20,475
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Coe College 64%
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Enrolled
  • Coe College 5.5%
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Coe College 1180
  • ISU 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Coe College 26
  • ISU 24
  • Average High School GPA
  • Coe College 3.74
  • ISU 3.7
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Coe College A-
  • ISU A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Coe College Challenging
  • ISU Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Coe College Low
  • ISU
  • ACT Range
  • Coe College 23/29
  • ISU 21/28
  • SAT Range
  • Coe College 1070/1290
  • ISU 1120/1360
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Coe College Test optional
  • ISU Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Coe College Mar 1, 2027
  • ISU

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Coe College 11:1
  • ISU 18:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Coe College
    • Business (18%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • English and Literature (9%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Coe College 69%
  • ISU 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Coe College $48,100
  • ISU $53,700
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Coe College 78%
  • ISU 74%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Coe College $28,105
  • ISU $23,868
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Coe College $290
  • ISU $246

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Coe College 51%
  • ISU 54%
  • % Women
  • Coe College 49%
  • ISU 46%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Coe College Low
  • ISU Low
  • HBCU
  • Coe College No
  • ISU No
  • % White
  • Coe College 74%
  • ISU 76%
  • % Asian
  • Coe College 3%
  • ISU 3%
  • % Black
  • Coe College 6%
  • ISU 3%
  • % Hispanic
  • Coe College 9%
  • ISU 5%
  • % Native American
  • Coe College 0%
  • ISU 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Coe College 0%
  • ISU 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Coe College 3%
  • ISU 2%
  • % International
  • Coe College 1%
  • ISU 7%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Coe College 3%
  • ISU 5%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Coe College 42%
  • ISU 54%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Coe College 56%
  • ISU 43%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Coe College Yes
  • ISU Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Coe College No
  • ISU No
  • Meal Plan
  • Coe College Yes
  • ISU Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Coe College No
  • ISU Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Coe College No
  • ISU Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA with Iowa State University in Ames, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Coe College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,195 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Coe College is located in Cedar Rapids, IA (Midsize City setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
  • Coe College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Coe College 11:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

Coe College vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Coe College or ISU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than Coe College ($17,779 vs. $20,864).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 8.3% lower than at Coe College ($10,808 vs. $11,790).
  • Coe College is 406.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $43,879 more per year; $54,666.00 vs. $10,787.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 89.3% higher at Coe College than at Iowa State University (about $25,785 more per year; $54,666.00 vs. $28,881.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Coe College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Coe College students is 330.6% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($46,468 vs. $10,791).

Coe College vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Coe College or ISU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between ISU and Coe College.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 60 points higher than at Coe College (1180).
  • Incoming Coe College students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coe College 1070/1290; Iowa State University 1120/1360.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Coe College 23/29; Iowa State University 21/28.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Coe College - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Coe College Mar 1, 2027.
  • Accepted freshman Coe College students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at ISU (3.7).
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Coe College (64%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.5% at Coe College vs. 28.8% at ISU.

Coe College vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Coe College and ISU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

  • Coe College's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
  • Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $5,600 more per year than Coe College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $48,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $4,237 lower median loan debt than Coe College graduates ($23,868 vs. $28,105).
  • Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Coe College graduates ($246 vs. $290).
  • More Coe College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 74%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.