ISU vs. Louisville

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Louisville based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 23,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Louisville is in Louisville, KY (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Louisville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Louisville 14:1.

ISU vs. Louisville Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Louisville? 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 Louisville ($17,779 vs. $19,785).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 14.1% lower than at University of Louisville ($10,808 vs. $12,576).
• University of Louisville is 21.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $2,349 more per year; $13,136.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.1% higher at Louisville than at Iowa State University (about $601 more per year; $29,482.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Louisville than at Iowa State University (98% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Louisville students is 36% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($14,677 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Louisville Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 80 points higher than at Louisville (1160).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at Louisville).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Louisville 1040/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Louisville 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Louisville - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Louisville Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Louisville (3.64).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Louisville (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 25.1% at Louisville.

ISU vs. Louisville Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Louisville? 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 University of Louisville's (51%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $8,500 more per year than Louisville graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $45,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Louisville graduates have a $4,212 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($19,656 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Louisville graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($203 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Louisville students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 58%)

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.