ISU vs. UH

Comparable Facts

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

University of Houston is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (47,980 students vs. 30,380 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Houston is in Houston, TX (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Houston 22:1.

ISU vs. UH Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or UH? 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 University of Houston than ISU ($14,309 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 4.2% lower than at University of Houston ($10,808 vs. $11,286).
• Iowa State University is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than UH (about $1,070 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,717.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.1% higher at ISU than at University of Houston (about $6,334 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $22,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at University of Houston (77% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Houston students is 12.7% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($12,159 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. UH Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Houston (1250) is 10 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming UH students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Houston 1160/1340.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Houston 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); UH - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UH May 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UH (3.46).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than UH (73.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 26.5% at UH.

ISU vs. UH Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and UH? 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 University of Houston's (46%).
• Graduates from University of Houston earn a median of about $5,300 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston graduates have a $4,118 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($19,750 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, UH graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($204 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UH students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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.