ISU vs. Truman State

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Truman State based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 3,664 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Truman State University is in Kirksville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Truman State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Truman State University 12:1.

ISU vs. Truman State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Truman 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 Truman State University than ISU ($13,602 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 2.9% lower than at Truman State University ($10,808 vs. $11,128).
• Iowa State University is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Truman State (about $949 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 55.6% higher at ISU than at Truman State University (about $10,315 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $18,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Truman State University than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Truman State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($12,186 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Truman State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Truman State University (1270) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Truman State 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; Truman State University 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Truman State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Truman State - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Truman State students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Truman State (83.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 25.9% at Truman State.

ISU vs. Truman State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Truman 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).

• Truman State University's six-year graduation rate (69%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $3,900 more per year than Truman State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Truman State University graduates have a $1,212 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($22,656 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Truman State graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($234 vs. $246).
• More Truman 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.