ISU vs. Nebraska

Iowa State University and University of Nebraska Lincoln side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Iowa State University
University of Nebraska Lincoln

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Nebraska (87.5% admitted vs 88.7%). Typical SAT 1210 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $17,779 at ISU vs $18,322 at Nebraska. ISU in-state tuition is about $353 more per year.
  • Graduation: ISU 68% vs Nebraska 67%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: ISU $53,700 vs Nebraska $49,600 (median).
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Key differences

Iowa State University University of Nebraska Lincoln
Acceptance rate
Nebraska more selective
ISU88.7%
Nebraska87.5%
SAT range (middle 50%)
ISU higher
ISU1120-1360
Nebraska1098-1330
Average net price
About even
ISU$17,779
Nebraska$18,322
In-state tuition
Nebraska $353 less
ISU$10,787
Nebraska$10,434
Out-of-state tuition
Nebraska $297 less
ISU$28,881
Nebraska$28,584
Graduation rate
ISU +1 pts
ISU68%
Nebraska67%
Median earnings (10 years)
ISU +$4,100
ISU$53,700
Nebraska$49,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • ISU 23,095
  • Nebraska 17,841
  • Admitted
  • ISU 20,475
  • Nebraska 15,609
  • Acceptance rate
  • ISU 88.7%
  • Nebraska 87.5%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • ISU 28.8%
  • Nebraska 29.8%
  • Typical SAT score
  • ISU 1240
  • Nebraska 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • ISU 24
  • Nebraska 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • ISU 3.7
  • Nebraska 3.63
  • Typical high school grades
  • ISU A-
  • Nebraska A-
  • Admissions standards
  • ISU Challenging
  • Nebraska Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • ISU
  • Nebraska
  • SAT range
  • ISU 1120-1360
  • Nebraska 1098-1330
  • ACT range
  • ISU 21-28
  • Nebraska 22-28
  • Submit test scores
  • ISU Test optional
  • Nebraska Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • ISU
  • Nebraska May 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • ISU $10,787
  • Nebraska $10,434
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • ISU $28,881
  • Nebraska $28,584
  • Room & board
  • ISU $10,808
  • Nebraska $14,120
  • Average net price
  • ISU $17,779
  • Nebraska $18,322
  • Average grant aid
  • ISU $10,791
  • Nebraska $10,541
  • % receiving grant aid
  • ISU 77%
  • Nebraska 94%
  • Graduation rate
  • ISU 68%
  • Nebraska 67%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • ISU $53,700
  • Nebraska $49,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • ISU 74%
  • Nebraska 73%
  • Median student loan debt
  • ISU $23,868
  • Nebraska $21,700
  • Median loan payment
  • ISU $246
  • Nebraska $224
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • ISU 18:1
  • Nebraska 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • ISU
    • Business (20%)
    • Engineering (17%)
    • Agriculture (9%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (7%)
    • Communication (5%)
  • Nebraska
    • Business (21%)
    • Engineering (9%)
    • Work and Family Studies (9%)
    • Education (8%)
    • Agriculture (7%)
  • Location
  • ISU Ames, IA
  • Nebraska Lincoln, NE
  • Setting
  • ISU Small City
  • Nebraska Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • ISU 30,380
  • Nebraska 24,393
  • Type
  • ISU Public 4 Year
  • Nebraska Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • ISU #343
  • Nebraska #380

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Iowa State University is larger than Nebraska based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 24,393 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of Nebraska Lincoln is in Lincoln, NE (Large City setting).
  • Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nebraska Lincoln is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Nebraska Lincoln 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 23.5% lower than at University of Nebraska Lincoln ($10,808 vs. $14,120).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at ISU than at University of Nebraska Lincoln (about $297 more per year; $28,881 vs. $28,584).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at Iowa State University (94% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Iowa State University students is 2.4% larger than aid received by University of Nebraska Lincoln students ($10,791 vs. $10,541).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Nebraska than at ISU (25 vs. 24, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both ISU and Nebraska.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Nebraska May 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at ISU average a 3.7 high school GPA, 0.07 higher than at Nebraska (3.63).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nebraska Lincoln graduates have a $2,168 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($21,700 vs. $23,868).
  • Among borrowers, Nebraska graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($224 vs. $246).
  • More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Nebraska students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 73%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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