Iowa vs. LSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University is larger than Iowa based on total student enrollment (41,705 students vs. 30,779 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Louisiana State University is in Baton Rouge, LA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Louisiana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Louisiana State University 21:1.

Iowa vs. LSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or LSU? 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 Louisiana State University than Iowa ($21,430 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 14.7% lower than at Louisiana State University ($12,920 vs. $15,142).
• Louisiana State University is 5.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $671 more per year; $11,954.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at Iowa than at Louisiana State University (about $4,740 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $28,631.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Louisiana State University than at University of Iowa (88% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Louisiana State University students is 42.9% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($14,094 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. LSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or LSU? 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 LSU and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University (1260) is 30 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming LSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Louisiana State University 1180/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Louisiana State University 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; LSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; LSU Jul 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at LSU (3.77).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than LSU (73.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 23% at LSU.

Iowa vs. LSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and LSU? 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).

• University of Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Louisiana State University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than LSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $56,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University graduates have a $716 lower median loan debt than Iowa graduates ($20,900 vs. $21,616).
• Among borrowers, LSU graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Iowa graduates ($216 vs. $223).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSU students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.