ISU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Should I go to Iowa State University or University of Missouri Kansas City? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if ISU or University of Missouri-Kansas City 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

Iowa University of Missouri-Columbia Michigan State Purdue Nebraska UIC Minnesota UNI WSU Illinois ASU IU
Iowa State University vs. University of Missouri Kansas City comparison
Iowa State University University of Missouri Kansas City College 3 College 4
Iowa State University University of Missouri Kansas City
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

ISU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Location Ames, IA Kansas City, MO
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 29,969 15,703
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #352 #265
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website iastate.edu umkc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

ISU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Tuition (In State) $8,678 $9,332
Tuition (Out of State) $25,162 $25,805
Room & Board $9,358 $12,262
Avg Net Price $15,310 $14,739
Avg Grant Aid $11,043 $8,376
% Receiving Grant Aid 80% 93%

Admission

ISU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 21,919 5,180
Admitted 19,776 3,599
Acceptance Rate 90.2% 69.5%
Enrolled % 29% 32.4%
Avg High School GPA 3.7 3.54
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 21/30
SAT Range 1090/1350 1245/1550
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 Jun 15, 2025

Academics

ISU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Student to Faculty Ratio 18:1 14:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Engineering (17%)
  • Agriculture (9%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
  • Communication (5%)
  • Business (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Communication (8%)
  • Education (8%)

Outcomes

ISU University of Missouri-Kansas City
Graduation Rate 68% 41%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,700 $55,100
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 55%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,868 $21,000
Median Loan Payment $246 $217

Diversity

ISU University of Missouri-Kansas City
% Men 55% 42%
% Women 45% 58%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 76% 58%
% Black 3% 15%
% Hispanic 5% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 4%
% International 7% 4%
% Unknown Race 5% 4%

Students

ISU University of Missouri-Kansas City
% In-State 52% 69%
% Out-of-State 45% 27%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • Iowa State University is larger than than University of Missouri-Kansas City based on total student enrollment (29,969 students vs. 15,703 students)

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

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

  • University of Missouri Kansas City is 7.5% more expensive to attend than ISU for in-state tuition ($9,332.00 vs. $8,678.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.6% higher at University of Missouri-Kansas City than Iowa State University ($25,805.00 vs. $25,162.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Missouri Kansas City than ISU ($14,739 vs. $15,310)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 31% lower than costs at University of Missouri Kansas City ($9,358 vs. $12,262)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Missouri Kansas City than Iowa State University (93% vs. 80%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 31.8% larger than aid received University of Missouri Kansas City ($11,043 vs. $8,376)

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Iowa State University (1142) is 12 points higher than at University of Missouri-Kansas City (1130)
  • Incoming ISU students have at the same average ACT score (25) as students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (25)
  • Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (3.54)
  • ISU has a higher acceptance rate (90.2%) than University of Missouri-Kansas City (69.5%)

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, ISU or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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-Kansas City and ISU.

  • The graduation rate at ISU is higher than University of Missouri Kansas City (68% vs. 41%)
  • Graduates from University of Missouri Kansas City earn on average $1,400 more per year than ISU graduates after ten years. ($55,100 vs. $53,700)
  • University of Missouri Kansas City students graduate with a $2,868 lower median federal student loan debt than ISU graduates. ($21,000 vs. $23,868)
  • University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates are paying $29 less per month on federal student loans than ISU graduates. ($217 vs. $246)
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-Kansas City students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 55%)

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