ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than University of Minnesota-Rochester based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 578 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Rochester is in Rochester, MN (Midsize City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Rochester is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Minnesota Rochester 13:1.

ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota Rochester than ISU ($14,953 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 22.8% lower than at University of Minnesota Rochester ($10,808 vs. $13,994).
• University of Minnesota Rochester is 39.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $4,229 more per year; $15,016.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 92.3% higher at ISU than at University of Minnesota Rochester (about $13,865 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $15,016.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Rochester than at Iowa State University (78% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Rochester students is 30.3% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($14,057 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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 University of Minnesota-Rochester and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 70 points higher than at University of Minnesota-Rochester (1170).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Rochester students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Minnesota Rochester 950/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Minnesota Rochester 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; University of Minnesota-Rochester - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Rochester Jul 31, 2027.
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than University of Minnesota-Rochester (71%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 20.3% at University of Minnesota-Rochester.

ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Rochester Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and University of Minnesota-Rochester? 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).

• Graduates from University of Minnesota Rochester earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Rochester graduates have a $3,683 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,185 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, University of Minnesota-Rochester graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($208 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Minnesota-Rochester students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.