ISU vs. Loras College

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Loras College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 1,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. Loras College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Loras 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 Loras College ($17,779 vs. $21,631).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 1.7% lower than at Loras College ($10,808 vs. $11,000).
• Loras College is 269.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $29,037 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 37.9% higher at Loras College than at Iowa State University (about $10,943 more per year; $39,824.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loras College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loras College students is 167.2% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($28,835 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Loras College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Loras College - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Loras College (3.48).
• Loras College has a higher acceptance rate (99.9%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 18.6% at Loras College.

ISU vs. Loras College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Loras 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 Loras College's (59%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than Loras College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Loras College graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loras College graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More Loras College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (83% 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.