ISU vs. University of St Thomas

Comparable Facts

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

Iowa State University is larger than University of St Thomas based on total student enrollment (30,380 students vs. 9,410 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (Small City setting); University of St Thomas is in Saint Paul, MN (Large City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of St Thomas is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of St Thomas 14:1.

ISU vs. University of St Thomas Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas ($17,779 vs. $31,250).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 27.8% lower than at University of St Thomas ($10,808 vs. $14,969).
• University of St Thomas is 404.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than ISU (about $43,611 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $10,787.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 88.4% higher at University of St Thomas than at Iowa State University (about $25,517 more per year; $54,398.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of St Thomas than at Iowa State University (95% vs. 77%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of St Thomas students is 229.8% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($35,587 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. University of St Thomas Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of St Thomas (1340) is 100 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming University of St Thomas students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at ISU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 1120/1360; University of St Thomas 1260/1423.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of St Thomas 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); University of St Thomas - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: University of St Thomas Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at University of St Thomas (3.63).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than University of St Thomas (85.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 20.8% at University of St Thomas.

ISU vs. University of St Thomas Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and University of St Thomas? 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 St Thomas's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than Iowa State University's (68%).
• Graduates from University of St Thomas earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($62,000 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Iowa State University graduates have a $2,132 lower median loan debt than University of St Thomas graduates ($23,868 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, ISU graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of St Thomas graduates ($246 vs. $268).
• More University of St Thomas graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ISU students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.