ISU vs. Tennessee

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with The University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (38,728 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); The University of Tennessee Knoxville is in Knoxville, TN (Midsize City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 18:1.

ISU vs. Tennessee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Tennessee? 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 Tennessee ($17,779 vs. $21,648).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 19.1% lower than at The University of Tennessee Knoxville ($10,808 vs. $13,356).
• The University of Tennessee Knoxville is 28% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $3,025 more per year; $13,812.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.1% higher at Tennessee than at Iowa State University (about $4,375 more per year; $33,256.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The University of Tennessee Knoxville than at Iowa State University (94% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of Tennessee Knoxville students is 6% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($11,434 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Tennessee Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of Tennessee Knoxville (1290) is 50 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Tennessee students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 1200/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; The University of Tennessee Knoxville 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Tennessee - Required to be considered for admission.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Tennessee (3.66).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Tennessee (41.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 27.4% at Tennessee.

ISU vs. Tennessee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Tennessee? 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 The University of Tennessee Knoxville's (63%).
• Graduates from The University of Tennessee Knoxville earn a median of about $2,600 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($56,300 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of Tennessee Knoxville graduates have a $3,868 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,000 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Tennessee graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($206 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tennessee students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 69%)

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.