Choosing the right college is a crucial decision that can impact your future career, social network, and personal growth. In this article, we will compare two renowned schools in Iowa: Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. We will provide an overview of each institution, including costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus, alumni, rankings, and outcomes, to help you make an informed decision.
Iowa State University Overview
Iowa State University (ISU) is a public research university located in Ames, Iowa. Established in 1858, ISU has grown into a diverse and thriving institution with over 30,000 students and 100 undergraduate majors. The university is known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine.
Iowa State University Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Iowa State University varies depending on residency status. For the 2021-2022 academic year, undergraduate tuition for Iowa residents is $9,320 per year, while non-residents pay $25,312. Additional mandatory fees for all students are approximately $1,300 per year.
Iowa State University Admissions
The admissions process at ISU is moderately competitive. For fall 2021, the acceptance rate was 91%. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and pay a $40 application fee. The average ACT score for admitted students is between 22 and 28, while the average SAT score ranges from 1120 to 1340.
Iowa State University Degrees Offered
Iowa State University offers over 100 undergraduate majors, spanning various disciplines. Some of the most popular majors include business, engineering, agriculture, biological and biomedical sciences, and social sciences. Additionally, ISU offers a wide range of graduate programs, including master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees.
Iowa State University Academics
ISU is committed to providing a robust and engaging academic experience for its students. The university boasts a student-faculty ratio of 19:1, ensuring personalized attention and support for students. Moreover, over 50% of the classes at ISU have fewer than 30 students, promoting an interactive and collaborative learning environment.
Iowa State University Diversity
Iowa State University prides itself on being a diverse and inclusive community. As of fall 2021, 19.9% of the student population identifies as a racial or ethnic minority, with international students representing 7.6%. The university actively promotes diversity through various initiatives, such as the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and numerous multicultural student organizations.
Iowa State University Students
ISU’s student body is made up of over 30,000 students, including approximately 25,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students. Students at ISU are involved in various extracurricular activities, such as student government, clubs, and intramural sports. The university also has a strong Greek life, with over 50 fraternities and sororities.
Iowa State University Campus
Iowa State University’s campus spans 1,813 acres and features a blend of historic and modern buildings. The campus is renowned for its beautiful central park, Reiman Gardens, and the iconic Campanile. ISU also offers numerous on-campus housing options and dining facilities for students.
Iowa State University Alumni
ISU has a strong alumni network, with notable graduates including George Washington Carver, the first African American student and faculty member at the university, and astronaut Clayton Anderson. The Iowa State University Alumni Association connects over 250,000 alumni worldwide through events, programs, and services.
Iowa State University Rankings
Iowa State University is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, ISU ranks #53 among public universities and #118 among national universities.
Iowa State University Outcomes
Graduates of Iowa State University enjoy strong career prospects and outcomes. According to Payscale, the average early career salary for ISU alumni is $53,900, with a mid-career salary of $91,500.
University of Iowa Overview
The University of Iowa (UI) is a public research university located in Iowa City, Iowa. Established in 1847, UI is the oldest and the second-largest university in the state, with over 31,000 students and 200 undergraduate majors. UI is particularly known for its prestigious Writers’ Workshop, medical school, and law school.
University of Iowa Costs & Tuition
Undergraduate tuition at the University of Iowa for the 2021-2022 academic year is $9,830 for Iowa residents and $31,793 for non-residents. Additional mandatory fees for all students are approximately $1,500 per year.
University of Iowa Admissions
The admissions process at UI is considered moderately selective. For fall 2021, the acceptance rate was 83%. Applicants are required to submit their high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and pay a $40 application fee. The average ACT score for admitted students is between 23 and 30, while the average SAT score ranges from 1150 to 1370.
University of Iowa Degrees Offered
The University of Iowa offers over 200 undergraduate majors, encompassing a wide range of disciplines. Some of the most popular majors include business, health professions, social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, and engineering. UI also offers various graduate programs, including master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees.
University of Iowa Academics
UI is dedicated to providing a high-quality academic experience for its students. The university has a student-faculty ratio of 16:1, which allows for personalized attention and support. Over 60% of classes at UI have fewer than 30 students, promoting an interactive and collaborative learning environment.
University of Iowa Diversity
The University of Iowa is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As of fall 2021, 17.3% of the student population identifies as a racial or ethnic minority, while international students represent 7.3%. UI actively supports diversity through various initiatives, such as the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and numerous multicultural student organizations.
University of Iowa Students
The student body at UI consists of over 31,000 students, including approximately 24,000 undergraduates and 7,000 graduate students. Students at UI are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, such as student government, clubs, and intramural sports. The university also has a vibrant Greek life, with over 40 fraternities and sororities.
University of Iowa Campus
The University of Iowa’s campus encompasses 1,880 acres and features a mix of historic and modern buildings. The campus is known for its picturesque setting along the Iowa River and the iconic Old Capitol building. UI offers various on-campus housing options and dining facilities for students.
University of Iowa Alumni
UI has an extensive alumni network, which includes notable graduates such as author John Irving, actor Ashton Kutcher, and former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power. The University of Iowa Alumni Association connects over 270,000 alumni worldwide through events, programs, and services.
University of Iowa Rankings
The University of Iowa is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UI ranks #38 among public universities and #88 among national universities.
University of Iowa Outcomes
Graduates of the University of Iowa enjoy strong career prospects and outcomes. According to Payscale, the average early career salary for UI alumni is $51,000, with a mid-career salary of $93,400.
Iowa State University vs University of Iowa Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, consider factors such as tuition, fees, and housing. For Iowa residents, tuition at ISU is slightly lower at $9,320 per year compared to UI’s $9,830 per year. However, non-residents may find UI’s tuition of $31,793 to be significantly higher than ISU’s $25,312. Keep in mind that other expenses, such as mandatory fees and housing, can also vary between the two institutions.
Iowa State University vs University of Iowa Admissions Difficulty
Both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are moderately competitive in their admissions process. ISU has a slightly higher acceptance rate at 91% compared to UI’s 83%. While both schools require applicants to submit their high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and application fees, the average ACT and SAT scores for admitted students slightly differ. UI has a slightly higher average ACT range of 23-30 compared to ISU’s 22-28, and a higher average SAT range of 1150-1370 compared to ISU’s 1120-1340.
Iowa State University vs University of Iowa Academic Difficulty
Academic difficulty varies by program, but both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are committed to maintaining high educational standards. With similar student-faculty ratios (ISU at 19:1 and UI at 16:1) and a majority of classes having fewer than 30 students, both schools provide interactive and supportive learning environments for their students.
Iowa State University vs University of Iowa Outcome Comparison
Although both schools have strong outcomes for their graduates, the University of Iowa has slightly higher average early career and mid-career salaries according to Payscale data. UI alumni report an average early career salary of $51,000 and a mid-career salary of $93,400, whereas ISU alumni report an average early career salary of $53,900.
