Iowa vs. Missouri State University-Springfield

Comparable Facts

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

University of Iowa is larger than Missouri State University-Springfield based on total student enrollment (30,779 students vs. 24,360 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA (Small City setting); Missouri State University Springfield is in Springfield, MO (Midsize City setting).
• University of Iowa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Missouri State University Springfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Iowa 16:1; Missouri State University Springfield 21:1.

Iowa vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Iowa or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University Springfield than Iowa ($17,181 vs. $21,765).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Missouri State University Springfield are 14.8% lower than at University of Iowa ($11,006 vs. $12,920).
• University of Iowa is 18.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Missouri State University-Springfield (about $1,781 more per year; $11,283.00 vs. $9,502.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 77.8% higher at Iowa than at Missouri State University Springfield (about $14,601 more per year; $33,371.00 vs. $18,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Missouri State University Springfield than at University of Iowa (90% vs. 76%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Iowa students is 12.5% larger than aid received by Missouri State University Springfield students ($9,865 vs. $8,770).

Iowa vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Iowa or Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University-Springfield and Iowa.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Iowa (1230) is 80 points higher than at Missouri State University-Springfield (1150).
• Incoming Iowa students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (24 vs. 22 at Missouri State University-Springfield).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 1130/1330; Missouri State University Springfield 1020/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Iowa 21/28; Missouri State University Springfield 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Iowa - Test optional; Missouri State University-Springfield - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Iowa May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Iowa students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Missouri State University-Springfield (3.73).
• Missouri State University-Springfield has a higher acceptance rate (90.5%) than Iowa (83.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.4% at Iowa vs. 25.6% at Missouri State University-Springfield.

Iowa vs. Missouri State University-Springfield Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Iowa and Missouri State University-Springfield? 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 Missouri State University Springfield's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Iowa earn a median of about $17,700 more per year than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $42,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Iowa graduates have a $884 lower median loan debt than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($21,616 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, Iowa graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Missouri State University-Springfield graduates ($223 vs. $232).
• More Iowa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Missouri State University-Springfield students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 67%)

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.