Iowa vs. Mississippi State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA with Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Iowa is larger than Mississippi State based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 23,150 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Mississippi State University is in Mississippi State, MS (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Mississippi State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Mississippi State University 16:1.

Iowa vs. Mississippi State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State University than Iowa ($18,478 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mississippi State University are 0.1% lower than at University of Iowa ($12,902 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 10.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mississippi State (about $1,081 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $10,202.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.7% higher at Iowa than at Mississippi State University (about $5,734 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $27,637.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mississippi State University than at University of Iowa (96% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mississippi State University students is 40.4% larger than aid received by University of Iowa students ($13,852 vs. $9,865).

Iowa vs. Mississippi State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is the same as at Mississippi State (1230).
• Incoming Mississippi State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at Iowa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Mississippi State University 1100/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Mississippi State University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Mississippi State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027; Mississippi State Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Mississippi State (3.58).
• Iowa has a higher acceptance rate (83.6%) than Mississippi State (77.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 19.8% at Mississippi State.

Iowa vs. Mississippi State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Mississippi State? 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 Mississippi State University's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than Mississippi State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $47,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $1,634 lower median loan debt than Mississippi State graduates ($21,616 vs. $23,250).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mississippi State graduates ($223 vs. $240).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Mississippi State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 63%)

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.