ISU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Missouri State University-Springfield based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 24,360 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Missouri State University Springfield is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri State University Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Missouri State University Springfield 21:1.

ISU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University Springfield than ISU ($17,181 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 1.8% lower than at Missouri State University Springfield ($10,808 vs. $11,006).
• Iowa State University is 13.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri State University-Springfield (about $1,285 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 53.9% higher at ISU than at Missouri State University Springfield (about $10,111 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $18,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri State University Springfield than at Iowa State University (90% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 23% larger than aid received by Missouri State University Springfield students ($10,791 vs. $8,770).

ISU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 90 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1150).
• Incoming ISU students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Missouri State University-Springfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Missouri State University Springfield 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Missouri State University Springfield 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Missouri State University-Springfield - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Missouri State University-Springfield students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at ISU (3.7).
• Missouri State University-Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 25.6% at Missouri State University-Springfield.

ISU vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University Springfield's (55%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $11,600 more per year than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri State University Springfield graduates have a $1,368 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,500 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Missouri State University-Springfield graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($232 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri State University-Springfield 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.