ISU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with University of Missouri St Louis in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Iowa State University is larger than University of Missouri-St Louis based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 14,736 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Missouri St Louis is in Saint Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Missouri St Louis is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Missouri St Louis 13:1.

ISU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri St Louis than ISU ($14,008 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 20% lower than at University of Missouri St Louis ($10,808 vs. $13,502).
• University of Missouri St Louis is 30.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $3,325 more per year; $14,112.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.6% higher at University of Missouri-St Louis than at Iowa State University (about $6,231 more per year; $35,112.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Missouri St Louis than at Iowa State University (100% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Missouri St Louis students is 58.4% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($17,096 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ISU or University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri-St Louis and ISU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Iowa State University (1240) is 60 points higher than at University of Missouri-St Louis (1180).
• Incoming ISU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 23 at University of Missouri-St Louis).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of Missouri St Louis 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Missouri St Louis 19/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); University of Missouri-St Louis - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of Missouri-St Louis (3.5).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than University of Missouri-St Louis (62.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 12.6% at University of Missouri-St Louis.

ISU vs. University of Missouri-St Louis Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and University of Missouri-St Louis? 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 Missouri St Louis's (51%).
• Graduates from Iowa State University earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than University of Missouri-St Louis graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,700 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Missouri St Louis graduates have a $2,881 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($20,987 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, University of Missouri-St Louis graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($217 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Missouri-St Louis students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 60%)

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.