ISU vs. Michigan Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Michigan Technological University in Houghton, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Michigan Tech based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 7,403 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Michigan Technological University 13:1.

ISU vs. Michigan Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University than ISU ($16,879 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 17.2% lower than at Michigan Technological University ($10,808 vs. $13,050).
• Michigan Technological University is 77.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $8,336 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 48.8% higher at Michigan Tech than at Iowa State University (about $14,107 more per year; $42,988.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at Iowa State University (99% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Michigan Technological University students is 84.4% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($19,898 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Michigan Tech Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is the same as at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming Michigan Tech students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Michigan Technological University 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Michigan Tech - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at ISU (3.7).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 12.9% at Michigan Tech.

ISU vs. Michigan Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,032 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($23,868 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($246 vs. $278).
• More Michigan Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.