ISU vs. OSU

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Oregon State University is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (37,163 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

ISU vs. OSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or OSU? 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 Iowa State University than OSU ($17,779 vs. $22,467).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 34% lower than at Oregon State University ($10,808 vs. $16,386).
• Oregon State University is 33.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $3,613 more per year; $14,400.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.2% higher at OSU than at Iowa State University (about $9,309 more per year; $38,190.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Oregon State University than at Iowa State University (90% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Oregon State University students is 4.1% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($11,230 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. OSU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Oregon State University (1270) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming OSU students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Oregon State University 1140/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Oregon State University 24/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); OSU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: OSU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at OSU (3.61).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than OSU (77.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 20.4% at OSU.

ISU vs. OSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and OSU? 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 Oregon State University's (61%).
• Graduates from Oregon State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,900 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Oregon State University graduates have a $368 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($23,500 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, OSU graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($242 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former OSU students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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.