ISU vs. Benedictine College

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Benedictine College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,535 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Benedictine College is in Atchison, KS (Distant Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Benedictine College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Benedictine College 16:1.

ISU vs. Benedictine College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Benedictine 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 Benedictine College ($17,779 vs. $28,629).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 19.5% lower than at Benedictine College ($10,808 vs. $13,430).
• Benedictine College is 237% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $25,563 more per year; $36,350.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 25.9% higher at Benedictine College than at Iowa State University (about $7,469 more per year; $36,350.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Benedictine College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Benedictine College students is 118% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($23,527 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Benedictine College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Benedictine College (1260) is 20 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Benedictine College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Benedictine College 1140/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Benedictine College 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Benedictine College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Benedictine College (3.57).
• Benedictine College has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 22.9% at Benedictine College.

ISU vs. Benedictine College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Benedictine 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Benedictine College's (56%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Benedictine College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Benedictine College graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Benedictine College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Benedictine 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.