Iowa vs Cal Poly Introduction
Choosing the right college is a crucial decision that can shape a student’s future. In this comparison guide, we’ll explore two popular institutions: Iowa State University and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). We’ll provide a comprehensive overview of each school, including costs, admissions, academics, campus life, and more, so you can make an informed choice between Iowa and Cal Poly.
Iowa Overview
Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa, is a public research university founded in 1858. It offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs across its eight colleges. Iowa State is known for its excellent programs in engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine.
Iowa Costs & Tuition
In-state undergraduate students at Iowa State can expect to pay around $9,320 in tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year. Out-of-state students face a significantly higher cost of $24,508 per year. Room and board expenses average around $9,000, and additional expenses such as books and personal items can bring the total annual cost to around $27,000 for in-state students and $42,000 for out-of-state students.
Iowa Admissions
Iowa State has a moderately selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of about 91% in 2020. They accept applicants based on their high school GPA, class rank, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and other factors such as extracurricular activities and application essays. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 3.71, while the average ACT score is 25.
Iowa Degrees Offered
Iowa State offers over 100 undergraduate majors, 110 master’s programs, and 80 doctoral programs across eight colleges. Some of the most popular majors at Iowa State include engineering, business, agriculture, and biological sciences.
Iowa Academics
Iowa State has a student-faculty ratio of 19:1, offering students personalized attention and support from faculty. The university has a four-year graduation rate of 45% and a six-year graduation rate of 75%. The average first-year retention rate is 88%, indicating a high level of satisfaction among students.
Iowa Diversity
Iowa State has a diverse student population, with about 14% of students identifying as a racial or ethnic minority. Additionally, international students make up about 7% of the student body, providing a global perspective on campus.
Iowa Students
Iowa State has a large student body, with over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled. The university offers a wide variety of student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports to keep students engaged and involved on campus.
Iowa Campus
Iowa State’s campus spans 1,800 acres, with modern facilities, picturesque landscaping, and a blend of historic and contemporary architecture. The university has a strong commitment to sustainability, with several green initiatives in place to promote environmental responsibility.
Iowa Alumni
Iowa State has a large and active alumni network, with over 250,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, and leaders in business, government, and academia.
Iowa Rankings
Iowa State consistently ranks highly in various national and international college rankings. For example, in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Iowa State ranked #121 among national universities and #58 among public universities in the United States.
Iowa Outcomes
Iowa State has a strong focus on career preparation, with 95% of graduates either employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Iowa State graduates is around $50,000.
Cal Poly Overview
California Polytechnic State University, better known as Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. Founded in 1901, the university is known for its hands-on learning approach and strong programs in engineering, architecture, and agriculture.
Cal Poly Costs & Tuition
In-state undergraduate students at Cal Poly pay around $10,071 in tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year. Out-of-state students face a higher cost of $25,971 per year. Room and board expenses average around $14,040, and additional expenses such as books and personal items can bring the total annual cost to around $28,473 for in-state students and $44,373 for out-of-state students.
Cal Poly Admissions
Cal Poly has a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of about 30% in 2020. They evaluate applicants based on their high school GPA, class rank, standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), and other factors such as extracurricular activities and application essays. The average high school GPA of admitted students is 4.04, while the average ACT score is 29.
Cal Poly Degrees Offered
Cal Poly offers over 70 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate programs across six colleges. Some of the most popular majors at Cal Poly include engineering, business, architecture, and agriculture.
Cal Poly Academics
Cal Poly has a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, providing students with personalized attention and support from faculty. The university has a four-year graduation rate of 52% and a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average first-year retention rate is 94%, indicating a high level of satisfaction among students.
Cal Poly Diversity
Cal Poly has a diverse student population, with about 43% of students identifying as a racial or ethnic minority. Additionally, international students make up about 1% of the student body.
Cal Poly Students
Cal Poly has a student body of around 22,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university offers a wide variety of student organizations, clubs, and intramural sports to keep students engaged and involved on campus.
Cal Poly Campus
Cal Poly’s campus covers over 9,600 acres, making it one of the largest university campuses in the United States. The campus features modern facilities, beautiful landscaping, and a combination of historic and contemporary architecture.
Cal Poly Alumni
Cal Poly has a large and active alumni network, with over 200,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include leaders in business, government, and academia, as well as successful entrepreneurs and innovators.
Cal Poly Rankings
Cal Poly consistently ranks highly in various national and international college rankings. For example, in the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, Cal Poly ranked #3 among regional universities in the West and #1 among public universities in the West.
Cal Poly Outcome
Cal Poly has a strong focus on career preparation, with 91% of graduates either employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Cal Poly graduates is around $62,000.
In the following sections, we will compare Iowa and Cal Poly in terms of cost, admissions difficulty, academic difficulty, and outcomes.
Iowa vs Cal Poly Cost Comparison
Both Iowa State and Cal Poly have relatively affordable tuition rates for in-state students, with Iowa State costing $9,320 per year and Cal Poly costing $10,071 per year. However, out-of-state students will face significantly higher costs, with Iowa State’s tuition at $24,508 per year and Cal Poly’s tuition at $25,971 per year.
In terms of room and board, Cal Poly is more expensive, with costs averaging around $14,040 per year, compared to Iowa State’s average of $9,000 per year. When considering additional expenses such as books and personal items, the total annual cost of attending Iowa State is around $27,000 for in-state students and $42,000 for out-of-state students, while the total annual cost of attending Cal Poly is around $28,473 for in-state students and $44,373 for out-of-state students.
Iowa vs Cal Poly Admissions Difficulty
Cal Poly has a much more selective admissions process compared to Iowa State, with an acceptance rate of 30% versus Iowa State’s 91%. Additionally, the average high school GPA of admitted students is higher for Cal Poly (4.04) than for Iowa State (3.71), and the average ACT score is also higher for Cal Poly (29) than for Iowa State (25).
Iowa vs Cal Poly Academic Difficulty
Both Iowa State and Cal Poly have rigorous academic programs, but Cal Poly’s hands-on learning approach and focus on project-based coursework may make it more challenging for some students. However, both universities have student-faculty ratios that allow for personalized attention and support from faculty members, with Iowa State’s ratio at 19:1 and Cal Poly’s ratio at 18:1.
Iowa vs Cal Poly Outcome Comparison
Both Iowa State and Cal Poly have strong post-graduation outcomes for their students, with the majority of graduates either employed or pursuing further education within six months of graduation. However, Cal Poly graduates tend to have a higher average starting salary ($62,000) compared to Iowa State graduates ($50,000).
Ultimately, the choice between Iowa State University and California Polytechnic State University will depend on factors such as academic interests, financial considerations, and personal preferences. Both universities offer excellent educational opportunities, diverse student populations, and strong post-graduation outcomes, so students should carefully consider their individual needs and goals when making a decision.
