Iowa vs. NDSU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with North Dakota State University Main Campus in Fargo, ND on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than NDSU based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 11,952 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); North Dakota State University Main Campus is in Fargo, ND (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19:1.

Iowa vs. NDSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or NDSU? 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus than Iowa ($15,596 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at North Dakota State University Main Campus are 23.2% lower than at University of Iowa ($9,928 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 1.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than NDSU (about $173 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $11,110.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 111.7% higher at Iowa than at North Dakota State University Main Campus (about $17,607 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $15,764.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at North Dakota State University Main Campus than at University of Iowa (81% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 53.9% larger than aid received by North Dakota State University Main Campus students ($9,865 vs. $6,409).

Iowa vs. NDSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 140 points higher than at NDSU (1090).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at NDSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; North Dakota State University Main Campus 968/1216.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; North Dakota State University Main Campus 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; NDSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; NDSU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at NDSU (3.53).
• NDSU has a higher acceptance rate (95%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 32% at NDSU.

Iowa vs. NDSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and NDSU? 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 North Dakota State University Main Campus's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $6,200 more per year than NDSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $53,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,684 lower median loan debt than NDSU graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,300).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDSU graduates ($223 vs. $240).
• More NDSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.