ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than University of Minnesota-Duluth based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 9,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth ($17,779 vs. $20,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 2.7% lower than at University of Minnesota Duluth ($10,808 vs. $11,110).
• University of Minnesota Duluth is 35.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $3,823 more per year; $14,610.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.5% higher at ISU than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $8,751 more per year; $28,881.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at Iowa State University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 50.2% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($10,791 vs. $7,186).

ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 30 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming University of Minnesota-Duluth students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); University of Minnesota-Duluth - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than ISU (88.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

ISU vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $200 more per year than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $1,132 lower median loan debt than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($23,868 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.