ISU vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 24,393 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

ISU vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Nebraska? 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 Nebraska ($17,779 vs. $18,322).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 23.5% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($10,808 vs. $14,120).
• Iowa State University is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Nebraska (about $353 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $10,434.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at ISU than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $297 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $28,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at Iowa State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 2.4% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($10,791 vs. $10,541).

ISU vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 30 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming Nebraska 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 Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Nebraska (87.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

ISU vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Nebraska? 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 Nebraska Lincoln's (67%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Nebraska graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $2,168 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,700 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($224 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.