ISU vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

ISU vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State ($17,779 vs. $18,478).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 16.2% lower than at Mississippi State University ($10,808 vs. $12,902).
• Iowa State University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $585 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.5% higher at ISU than at Mississippi State University (about $1,244 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at Iowa State University (96% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 28.4% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($13,852 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 10 points higher than at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Mississippi State 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; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

ISU vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mississippi State University graduates have a $618 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($23,250 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Mississippi State graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($240 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 63%)

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.