ISU vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 30,380 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

ISU vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UC? 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 UC ($17,779 vs. $24,696).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 20.3% lower than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus ($10,808 vs. $13,564).
• University of Cincinnati Main Campus is 29.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $3,189 more per year; $13,976.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at UC than at Iowa State University (about $429 more per year; $29,310.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (77% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 31.7% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($10,791 vs. $8,196).

ISU vs. UC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or UC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UC and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (1270) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming UC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman ISU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UC (3.69).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than UC (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 22.5% at UC.

ISU vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates have a $868 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($23,000 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, UC graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($237 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 57%)

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.