ISU vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or MSU? 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 MSU ($17,779 vs. $20,142).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 22.8% lower than at Montana State University ($10,808 vs. $14,000).
• Iowa State University is 27.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $2,327 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.3% higher at MSU than at Iowa State University (about $4,406 more per year; $33,287.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at Iowa State University (83% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 9% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($11,763 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 60 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at MSU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at MSU (3.5).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 20.3% at MSU.

ISU vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and MSU? 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 Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $132 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($23,868 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($246 vs. $248).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 71%)

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.