ISU vs. Iowa

Iowa State University and University of Iowa side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Iowa State University
University of Iowa

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Iowa (83.6% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1230 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: ISU. Average net price is $17,779 vs $21,765 at Iowa.
  • Graduation: ISU 68% vs Iowa 71%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ISU $53,700 vs Iowa $59,800 (median).
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Key differences

Iowa State University University of Iowa
Acceptance rate
Iowa more selective
ISU88.7%
Iowa83.6%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
ISU1120-1360
Iowa1130-1330
Average net price
ISU $3,986 less
ISU$17,779
Iowa$21,765
In-state tuition
ISU $496 less
ISU$10,787
Iowa$11,283
Out-of-state tuition
ISU $4,490 less
ISU$28,881
Iowa$33,371
Graduation rate
Iowa +3 pts
ISU68%
Iowa71%
Median earnings (10 years)
Iowa +$6,100
ISU$53,700
Iowa$59,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ISU 23,095
  • Iowa 27,770
  • Admitted
  • ISU 20,475
  • Iowa 23,222
  • Acceptance rate
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Iowa 83.6%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Iowa 22.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1240
  • Iowa 1230
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • Iowa 24
  • Average high school GPA
  • ISU 3.7
  • Iowa 3.81
  • Typical high school grades
  • ISU A-
  • Iowa A-
  • Admissions standards
  • ISU Challenging
  • Iowa Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • ISU
  • Iowa
  • SAT range
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • Iowa 1130-1330
  • ACT range
  • ISU 21-28
  • Iowa 21-28
  • Submit test scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • Iowa Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ISU
  • Iowa May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ISU $10,787
  • Iowa $11,283
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ISU $28,881
  • Iowa $33,371
  • Room & board
  • ISU $10,808
  • Iowa $12,920
  • Average net price
  • ISU $17,779
  • Iowa $21,765
  • Average grant aid
  • ISU $10,791
  • Iowa $9,865
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ISU 77%
  • Iowa 76%
  • Graduation rate
  • ISU 68%
  • Iowa 71%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ISU $53,700
  • Iowa $59,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • ISU 74%
  • Iowa 70%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ISU $23,868
  • Iowa $21,616
  • Median loan payment
  • ISU $246
  • Iowa $223
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ISU 18:1
  • Iowa 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Iowa
    • Business (18%)
    • Social Sciences (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (8%)
    • Communication (8%)
  • Location
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Iowa Iowa City, IA
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • Iowa Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 30,380
  • Iowa 30,779
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • Iowa Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ISU #343
  • Iowa #233

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of Iowa is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 30,380 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 16.3% lower than at University of Iowa ($10,808 vs. $12,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.5% higher at Iowa than at Iowa State University (about $4,490 more per year; $33,371 vs. $28,881).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at University of Iowa (77% vs. 76%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 9.4% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($10,791 vs. $9,865).

Admissions details

  • Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 24) as students at Iowa (24).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ISU and Iowa.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Iowa average a 3.81 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at ISU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 22.4% at Iowa.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $2,252 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,868).
  • Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($223 vs. $246).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 70%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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