ISU vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

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

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (56,666 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 Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

ISU vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities than ISU ($17,209 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 22% lower than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities ($10,808 vs. $13,856).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 59.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $6,427 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at Minnesota than at Iowa State University (about $9,481 more per year; $38,362.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (77% vs. 65%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students is 16.3% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($12,552 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 160 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Minnesota 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; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Minnesota students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.75) than students at ISU (3.7).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Minnesota (79.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

ISU vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Minnesota? 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).

• University of Minnesota Twin Cities's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of about $4,500 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,200 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates have a $3,683 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,185 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Minnesota graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($208 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.