North Central College vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

Compare North Central College in Naperville, IL with Iowa State University in Ames, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than North Central College based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 3,003 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• North Central College is located in Naperville, IL (Midsize City setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
• North Central College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: North Central College 12:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

North Central College vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, North Central College or ISU? 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 North Central College ($17,779 vs. $23,276).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 26.4% lower than at North Central College ($10,808 vs. $14,688).
• North Central College is 323.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $34,939 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 58.3% higher at North Central College than at Iowa State University (about $16,845 more per year; $45,726.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Central College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by North Central College students is 215.6% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($34,056 vs. $10,791).

North Central College vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, North Central College or ISU? 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 ISU and North Central College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 60 points higher than at North Central College (1180).
• Incoming North Central College 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: North Central College 1055/1310; Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: North Central College 24/29; Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: North Central College - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: North Central College Apr 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at North Central College (3.6).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than North Central College (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.6% at North Central College vs. 28.8% at ISU.

North Central College vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for North Central College and ISU? 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 North Central College's (64%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than North Central College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,132 lower median loan debt than North Central College graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Central College graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More North Central College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 74%)

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.