ISU vs. UO

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than UO based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 24,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Oregon is in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oregon is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Oregon 19:1.

ISU vs. UO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UO? 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 UO ($17,779 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 34.9% lower than at University of Oregon ($10,808 vs. $16,611).
• University of Oregon is 49.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $5,350 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 54.4% higher at UO than at Iowa State University (about $15,717 more per year; $44,598.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oregon than at Iowa State University (84% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 12.9% larger than aid received by University of Oregon students ($10,791 vs. $9,560).

ISU vs. UO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oregon (1250) is 10 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming UO students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Oregon 1130/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Oregon 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; UO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UO Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UO students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.73) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than UO (88.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 14.4% at UO.

ISU vs. UO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UO? 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 Oregon's (66%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $4,700 more per year than UO graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Oregon graduates have a $2,767 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,101 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, UO graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($218 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UO students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 62%)

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.