ISU vs. NC State

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with North Carolina State University at Raleigh in Raleigh, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

North Carolina State University at Raleigh is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (38,464 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); North Carolina State University at Raleigh is in Raleigh, NC (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 15:1.

ISU vs. NC State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or NC 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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh than ISU ($15,522 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 24.6% lower than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($10,808 vs. $14,332).
• Iowa State University is 22.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NC State (about $1,988 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $8,799.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 13.7% higher at NC State than at Iowa State University (about $3,966 more per year; $32,847.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (77% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Carolina State University at Raleigh students is 8.2% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($11,675 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. NC State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh (1390) is 150 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming NC State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 1300/1470.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; North Carolina State University at Raleigh 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; NC State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: NC State Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman NC State students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than NC State (41.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 31.8% at NC State.

ISU vs. NC State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and NC 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).

• North Carolina State University at Raleigh's six-year graduation rate (72%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from North Carolina State University at Raleigh earn a median of about $3,500 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates have a $3,086 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,782 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, NC State graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($214 vs. $246).
• More NC State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.