ISU vs. SNC

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with Saint Norbert College in De Pere, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than SNC based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 2,032 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); Saint Norbert College is in De Pere, WI (Midsize Suburban setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Norbert College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; Saint Norbert College 14:1.

ISU vs. SNC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or SNC? 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 SNC ($17,779 vs. $27,880).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 22.8% lower than at Saint Norbert College ($10,808 vs. $14,004).
• Saint Norbert College is 322.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $34,793 more per year; $45,580.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.8% higher at SNC than at Iowa State University (about $16,699 more per year; $45,580.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Norbert College than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Saint Norbert College students is 191.7% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($31,473 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. SNC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 80 points higher than at SNC (1160).
• Incoming ISU students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 24) as students at SNC (24).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; Saint Norbert College 1033/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; Saint Norbert College 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); SNC - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at SNC (3.57).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than SNC (85.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 13.6% at SNC.

ISU vs. SNC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and SNC? 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).

• Saint Norbert College's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than SNC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $50,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $3,132 lower median loan debt than SNC graduates ($23,868 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SNC graduates ($246 vs. $279).
• More SNC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 74%)

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.