ISU vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare Iowa State University in Ames, IA with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Utah is larger than ISU based on total student enrollment (36,894 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 Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• Iowa State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Iowa State University 18:1; University of Utah 19:1.

ISU vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ISU or Utah? 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 Utah than ISU ($16,583 vs. $17,779).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Iowa State University are 18.8% lower than at University of Utah ($10,808 vs. $13,315).
• Iowa State University is 12.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $1,167 more per year; $10,787.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.9% higher at Utah than at Iowa State University (about $1,979 more per year; $30,860.00 vs. $28,881.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Iowa State University than at University of Utah (77% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 18.1% larger than aid received by Iowa State University students ($12,744 vs. $10,791).

ISU vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 50 points higher than at ISU (1240).
• Incoming Utah 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 Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Iowa State University 21/28; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ISU - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Utah - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman ISU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Utah (3.64).
• ISU has a higher acceptance rate (88.7%) than Utah (86%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.8% at ISU vs. 26% at Utah.

ISU vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ISU and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $7,600 more per year than ISU graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $53,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $8,868 lower median loan debt than ISU graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,868).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ISU graduates ($155 vs. $246).
• More ISU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.