ISU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia

Should I go to Iowa State University or University of Missouri Columbia? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or University of Missouri-Columbia is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Iowa State University vs. University of Missouri Columbia comparison
Iowa State University University of Missouri Columbia College 3 College 4
Iowa State University University of Missouri Columbia
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Overview

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
Location Ames, IA Columbia, MO
Setting Small City Midsize City
Enrollment 30,177 31,013
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #351 #274
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iastate.edu missouri.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
Tuition (In State) $8,982 $13,008
Tuition (Out of State) $26,168 $33,216
Room & Board $9,726 $13,550
Avg Net Price $17,354 $20,006
Avg Grant Aid $10,718 $11,734
% Receiving Grant Aid 77% 84%

Admission

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 22,995 21,669
Admitted 20,496 16,690
Acceptance Rate 89.1% 77%
Enrolled % 28.6% 30.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.61
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Difficult Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 21/28 23/29
SAT Range 1110/1350 1150/1330
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline

Academics

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Communication (13%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (7%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
Graduation Rate 68% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,700 $54,200
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,868 $21,883
Median Loan Payment $246 $226

Diversity

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
% Men 8% 9%
% Women 8% 15%
Racial Diversity Low Low
HBCU No No
% White 76% 79%
% Black 3% 8%
% Hispanic 5% 4%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 3%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 0%

Students

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
% In-State 52% 66%
% Out-of-State 45% 33%

Campus

ISU University of Missouri-Columbia
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Missouri Columbia is larger than than ISU based on total student enrollment (31,013 students vs. 30,177 students)

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of Missouri-Columbia?

  • University of Missouri Columbia is 44.8% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($13,008.00 vs. $8,982.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 26.9% higher at University of Missouri-Columbia than Iowa State University ($33,216.00 vs. $26,168.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Iowa State University than University of Missouri-Columbia ($17,354 vs. $20,006)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 39.3% lower than costs at University of Missouri Columbia ($9,726 vs. $13,550)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Missouri Columbia than Iowa State University (84% vs. 77%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Columbia students is 9.5% larger than aid received Iowa State University ($11,734 vs. $10,718)

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of Missouri-Columbia? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between University of Missouri-Columbia or ISU .

  • The average SAT score at University of Missouri Columbia (1203) is 61 points higher than at ISU (1142)
  • Incoming University of Missouri-Columbia students have a 2 point higher average ACT score (27) than students at ISU (25)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Missouri-Columbia (3.61)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (89.1%) than University of Missouri-Columbia (77%)

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or University of Missouri-Columbia? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between University of Missouri-Columbia and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at University of Missouri-Columbia is higher than Iowa State University (69% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from University of Missouri Columbia earn on average $500 more per year than ISU graduates after ten years. ($54,200 vs. $53,700)
  • University of Missouri Columbia students graduate with a $1,985 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($21,883 vs. $23,868)
  • University of Missouri-Columbia graduates are paying $20 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($226 vs. $246)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Columbia students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/