U of A vs. ISU

Comparable Facts

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

University of Arizona is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); Iowa State University is in Ames, IA (Small City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; Iowa State University 18:1.

U of A vs. ISU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($17,779 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 35.5% lower than at University of Arizona ($10,808 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 29.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $3,139 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.4% higher at U of A than at Iowa State University (about $13,397 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Iowa State University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 27.7% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($13,776 vs. $10,791).

U of A vs. ISU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 50 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming U of A 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: University of Arizona 1150/1420; Iowa State University 1120/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; Iowa State University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; ISU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.22 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at U of A (3.48).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than U of A (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 28.8% at ISU.

U of A vs. ISU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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 University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $300 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $4,868 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($19,000 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $50 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($196 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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.