Iowa vs. MSOE

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than MSOE based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 2,953 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Milwaukee School of Engineering is in Milwaukee, WI (Large City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Milwaukee School of Engineering is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Milwaukee School of Engineering 12:1.

Iowa vs. MSOE Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or MSOE? 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 Iowa than MSOE ($21,765 vs. $25,669).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Iowa are 7.6% lower than at Milwaukee School of Engineering ($12,920 vs. $13,984).
• Milwaukee School of Engineering is 347.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Iowa (about $39,197 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $11,283.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 51.3% higher at MSOE than at University of Iowa (about $17,109 more per year; $50,480.00 vs. $33,371.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Milwaukee School of Engineering than at University of Iowa (100% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Milwaukee School of Engineering students is 275% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($36,997 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. MSOE Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or MSOE? 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 MSOE and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Milwaukee School of Engineering (1280) is 50 points higher than at Iowa (1230).
• Incoming MSOE students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Milwaukee School of Engineering 1160/1405.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Milwaukee School of Engineering 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; MSOE - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; MSOE Sep 1, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at MSOE (3.65).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than MSOE (58.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 17.2% at MSOE.

Iowa vs. MSOE Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and MSOE? 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 Iowa's six-year graduation rate (71%) is higher than Milwaukee School of Engineering's (57%).
• Graduates from Milwaukee School of Engineering earn a median of about $9,100 more per year than Iowa graduates about ten years after starting college ($68,900 vs. $59,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $5,384 lower median loan debt than MSOE graduates ($21,616 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MSOE graduates ($223 vs. $279).
• More MSOE graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Iowa students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 70%)

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.