Iowa State University vs University of Iowa: A Data-Driven Comparison
Admission Difficulty: Iowa State accepts 90% of applicants compared to Iowa's 86%, making both highly accessible with Iowa slightly more selective.
Cost and Value: Iowa State offers better financial value with in-state tuition of $10,497 versus Iowa's $10,964. Out-of-state students save significantly at Iowa State ($27,683 vs $32,927). Iowa State's average net price is $3,233 lower at $18,165, though both schools produce similar debt levels around $22,500-$22,869.
Academic Strengths: Iowa State excels in engineering, agriculture, and technology fields, while Iowa is known for its medical school, creative writing program, and liberal arts. Iowa offers a better student-faculty ratio at 15:1 compared to Iowa State's 18:1, potentially meaning more personalized attention.
Campus Experience: Iowa State's larger enrollment (25,033 vs 21,691) creates a bigger university atmosphere in college town Ames. Iowa's campus in Iowa City offers a more traditional college town experience with stronger literary and cultural traditions. Both compete in Division I athletics.
Outcomes: Iowa graduates earn slightly more ten years post-graduation ($64,762 vs $63,386). Iowa State achieves a higher six-year graduation rate (75.5% vs 73.1%), while Iowa has better first-year retention (89.3% vs 87.6%).
Students interested in STEM fields and seeking lower costs should consider Iowa State, while those pursuing liberal arts, medicine, or preferring smaller class sizes may find Iowa a better fit.
Admission Difficulty: Iowa State accepts 90% of applicants compared to Iowa's 86%, making both highly accessible with Iowa slightly more selective.
Cost and Value: Iowa State offers better financial value with in-state tuition of $10,497 versus Iowa's $10,964. Out-of-state students save significantly at Iowa State ($27,683 vs $32,927). Iowa State's average net price is $3,233 lower at $18,165, though both schools produce similar debt levels around $22,500-$22,869.
Academic Strengths: Iowa State excels in engineering, agriculture, and technology fields, while Iowa is known for its medical school, creative writing program, and liberal arts. Iowa offers a better student-faculty ratio at 15:1 compared to Iowa State's 18:1, potentially meaning more personalized attention.
Campus Experience: Iowa State's larger enrollment (25,033 vs 21,691) creates a bigger university atmosphere in college town Ames. Iowa's campus in Iowa City offers a more traditional college town experience with stronger literary and cultural traditions. Both compete in Division I athletics.
Outcomes: Iowa graduates earn slightly more ten years post-graduation ($64,762 vs $63,386). Iowa State achieves a higher six-year graduation rate (75.5% vs 73.1%), while Iowa has better first-year retention (89.3% vs 87.6%).
Students interested in STEM fields and seeking lower costs should consider Iowa State, while those pursuing liberal arts, medicine, or preferring smaller class sizes may find Iowa a better fit.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Iowa State University | University of Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 90.2% | 86.0% |
| SAT Average | 1,220 | 1,235 |
| Enrollment | 25,033 | 21,691 |
| In-State Tuition | $10,497 | $10,964 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $27,683 | $32,927 |
| Net Price | $18,165 | $21,398 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 75.5% | 73.1% |
| Retention Rate | 87.6% | 89.3% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $63,386 | $64,762 |
| Median Debt | $22,869 | $22,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| Iowa State University | University of Iowa | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer Engineering. | $73,839 | Industrial Engineering. | $71,351 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $73,321 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $69,657 |
| Computer Science. | $71,734 | Chemical Engineering. | $64,990 |
| Construction Engineering. | $70,083 | Mechanical Engineering. | $64,581 |
| Industrial Engineering. | $68,101 | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | $62,260 |