ISU vs. Saint Louis University

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Saint Louis University based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 17,059 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Saint Louis University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Saint Louis University 9:1.

ISU vs. Saint Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Saint Louis University? 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 Saint Louis University ($17,779 vs. $27,749).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 29.3% lower than at Saint Louis University ($10,808 vs. $15,280).
• Saint Louis University is 416.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $44,973 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 93.1% higher at Saint Louis University than at Iowa State University (about $26,879 more per year; $55,760.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Louis University than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Louis University students is 313.8% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($44,657 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Saint Louis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Saint Louis University? 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 Saint Louis University and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Saint Louis University (1310) is 70 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Saint Louis University 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; Saint Louis University 1200/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Saint Louis University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Saint Louis University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Saint Louis University students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Saint Louis University (75%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 13.9% at Saint Louis University.

ISU vs. Saint Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Saint Louis University? 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 Saint Louis University's (61%).
• Graduates from Saint Louis University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $2,132 lower median loan debt than Saint Louis University graduates ($23,868 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Louis University graduates ($246 vs. $268).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Louis University students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.