ISU vs. Iowa

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (30,779 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 Iowa is in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Iowa 16:1.

ISU vs. Iowa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Iowa? 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 Iowa ($17,779 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 16.3% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,808 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 4.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $496 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Iowa than at Iowa State University (about $4,490 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at University of Iowa (77% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 9.4% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($10,791 vs. $9,865).

ISU vs. Iowa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Iowa? 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 Iowa and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 10 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Iowa (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Iowa 1130/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Iowa 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Iowa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa 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 Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

ISU vs. Iowa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Iowa? 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $2,252 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($223 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 70%)

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.