ISU vs. The College of Saint Scholastica

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with The College of Saint Scholastica in Duluth, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than The College of Saint Scholastica based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,930 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); The College of Saint Scholastica is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The College of Saint Scholastica is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; The College of Saint Scholastica 12:1.

ISU vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica ($17,779 vs. $26,083).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 8.6% lower than at The College of Saint Scholastica ($10,808 vs. $11,830).
• The College of Saint Scholastica is 287.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $30,991 more per year; $41,778.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.7% higher at The College of Saint Scholastica than at Iowa State University (about $12,897 more per year; $41,778.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Saint Scholastica than at Iowa State University (93% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The College of Saint Scholastica students is 164.6% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($28,555 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 30 points higher than at The College of Saint Scholastica (1210).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at The College of Saint Scholastica (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; The College of Saint Scholastica 1110/1310.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; The College of Saint Scholastica 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; The College of Saint Scholastica - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at The College of Saint Scholastica (3.5).
• The College of Saint Scholastica has a higher acceptance rate (93%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 16.9% at The College of Saint Scholastica.

ISU vs. The College of Saint Scholastica Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and The College of Saint Scholastica? 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 The College of Saint Scholastica's (63%).
• Graduates from The College of Saint Scholastica earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The College of Saint Scholastica graduates have a $2,714 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,154 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, The College of Saint Scholastica graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($218 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former The College of Saint Scholastica 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.