ISU vs. Viterbo

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Viterbo based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,094 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Viterbo University is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Viterbo University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Viterbo University 10:1.

ISU vs. Viterbo Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Viterbo? 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 Viterbo ($17,779 vs. $21,933).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 4.5% lower than at Viterbo University ($10,808 vs. $11,320).
• Viterbo University is 217.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $23,463 more per year; $34,250.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.6% higher at Viterbo than at Iowa State University (about $5,369 more per year; $34,250.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Viterbo University than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Viterbo University students is 118.5% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($23,573 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Viterbo Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 30 points higher than at Viterbo (1210).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at Viterbo (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Viterbo University 1040/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Viterbo University 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Test optional; Viterbo - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Viterbo (3.5).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Viterbo (72.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 15.9% at Viterbo.

ISU vs. Viterbo Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Viterbo? 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 Viterbo University's (49%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $9,400 more per year than Viterbo graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $44,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than Viterbo graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Viterbo graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Viterbo students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 68%)

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.