ISU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than University of Missouri-Kansas City based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 14,732 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri Kansas City than ISU ($14,748 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 30.1% lower than at University of Missouri Kansas City ($10,808 vs. $15,452).
• University of Missouri Kansas City is 16.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $1,800 more per year; $12,587.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at University of Missouri-Kansas City than at Iowa State University (about $1,346 more per year; $30,227.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri Kansas City than at Iowa State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri Kansas City students is 1.8% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($10,982 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. University of Missouri-Kansas City Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri-Kansas City and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Missouri Kansas City (1420) is 180 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at University of Missouri-Kansas City (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Missouri Kansas City 1290/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Missouri Kansas City 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; University of Missouri-Kansas City - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Missouri-Kansas City Jun 15, 2027.
• 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 (88.7%) than University of Missouri-Kansas City (72.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 30.1% at University of Missouri-Kansas City.

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

How do outcomes compare for ISU and University of Missouri-Kansas City? 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 Missouri Kansas City's (41%).
• Graduates from University of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,100 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri Kansas City graduates have a $2,868 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,000 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-Kansas City graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.