ISU vs. Beloit College

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Beloit College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,004 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Beloit College is in Beloit, WI (Small Suburban setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Beloit College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Beloit College 12:1.

ISU vs. Beloit College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Beloit College? 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 Beloit College ($17,779 vs. $24,455).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 4% lower than at Beloit College ($10,808 vs. $11,264).
• Beloit College is 464.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $50,099 more per year; $60,886.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 110.8% higher at Beloit College than at Iowa State University (about $32,005 more per year; $60,886.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Beloit College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Beloit College students is 336.7% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($47,119 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Beloit College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Beloit College? 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 Beloit College and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Beloit College (1320) is 80 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Beloit College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Beloit College 1200/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Beloit College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Beloit College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Beloit College (3.33).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Beloit College (63%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 9.2% at Beloit College.

ISU vs. Beloit College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Beloit College? 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).

• Beloit College's six-year graduation rate (76%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $7,800 more per year than Beloit College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Beloit College graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Beloit College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Beloit College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.