Iowa vs. MSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Montana State University in Bozeman, MT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than MSU based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 17,135 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Montana State University is in Bozeman, MT (Remote Town setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Montana State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Montana State University 18:1.

Iowa vs. MSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or MSU? 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 Montana State University than Iowa ($20,142 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 7.7% lower than at Montana State University ($12,920 vs. $14,000).
• University of Iowa is 33.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than MSU (about $2,823 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $8,460.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.3% higher at Iowa than at Montana State University (about $84 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $33,287.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Montana State University than at University of Iowa (83% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Montana State University students is 19.2% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($11,763 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. MSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 50 points higher than at MSU (1180).
• Incoming Iowa students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at MSU (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Montana State University 1065/1285.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Montana State University 21/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; MSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at MSU (3.5).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than MSU (82.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 20.3% at MSU.

Iowa vs. MSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and MSU? 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 Montana State University's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than MSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $45,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $2,384 lower median loan debt than MSU graduates ($21,616 vs. $24,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $25 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSU graduates ($223 vs. $248).
• More MSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 70%)

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.