ISU vs. Missouri Southern

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than Missouri Southern based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 4,147 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Missouri Southern State University is in Joplin, MO (Small City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri Southern State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Missouri Southern State University 15:1.

ISU vs. Missouri Southern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern State University than ISU ($11,626 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri Southern State University are 15.6% lower than at Iowa State University ($9,119 vs. $10,808).
• Iowa State University is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri Southern (about $1,827 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $8,960.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 69.1% higher at ISU than at Missouri Southern State University (about $11,801 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $17,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri Southern State University than at Iowa State University (90% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 42% larger than aid received by Missouri Southern State University students ($10,791 vs. $7,597).

ISU vs. Missouri Southern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or Missouri Southern? 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 Missouri Southern and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Missouri Southern State University (1290) is 50 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming ISU students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 20 at Missouri Southern).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Missouri Southern State University 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Missouri Southern State University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Missouri Southern - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Missouri Southern (3.5).
• Missouri Southern has a higher acceptance rate (97%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 20.5% at Missouri Southern.

ISU vs. Missouri Southern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Missouri Southern? 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).

• Iowa State University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than Missouri Southern State University's (33%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $17,100 more per year than Missouri Southern graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $36,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Missouri Southern State University graduates have a $3,037 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,831 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Missouri Southern graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($215 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri Southern students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)

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.