ISU vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

ISU vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or LSU? 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 LSU ($17,779 vs. $21,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 28.6% lower than at Louisiana State University ($10,808 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $1,167 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.9% higher at ISU than at Louisiana State University (about $250 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at Iowa State University (88% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 30.6% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($14,094 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. LSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 20 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming LSU 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; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman LSU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.77) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 23% at LSU.

ISU vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and LSU? 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 Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Louisiana State University earn a median of about $3,200 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,900 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $2,968 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,900 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $30 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($216 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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.