Iowa State vs UIdaho
Iowa State University and University of Idaho, both public land-grant research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Iowa State, located in Ames, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate (84%) compared to University of Idaho's 80% in Moscow, Idaho. While Iowa State excels in STEM fields, with popular majors like engineering, computer science, and agriculture, University of Idaho shines in forestry, wildlife resources, and education. Iowa State's larger student body comprises more out-of-state students, while University of Idaho fosters a closer community feel with a higher percentage of in-state students. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, with Iowa State at 79% and University of Idaho at 77%. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more key differences and make an informed decision about which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Iowa State University |
![]() University of Idaho |
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Overview |
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Location | Ames, Iowa | Moscow, Idaho |
Campus setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.1% | 81.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$60
Graduate:
$60
|
SAT range | 1083 - 1330 | 990 - 1220 |
ACT range | 21 - 28 | 20 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | 65.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | 14.0% |
Total number of applicants | 20,357 | 9,814 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,550 | 7,987 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,387 | 1,656 |
Yield rate | 29.0% | 20.7% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,152
Out of state:
$37,964
|
In state:
$22,254
Out of state:
$41,490
|
Average net price | $15,422 | $15,435 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,324
Out of state:
$24,136
|
In state:
$6,182
Out of state:
$25,418
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,590
Meal plan:
$4,498
|
$9,610 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
87.0%
Average amount $8,833 |
97.0%
Average amount $12,208 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,202 |
42.0%
Average amount $4,946 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $11,630 |
3.0%
Average amount $12,339 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
25,808
Men 56.1% Women 43.9% |
8,631
Men 47.7% Women 52.3% |
Graduate students |
4,900
Men 50.6% Women 49.4% |
2,672
Men 49.6% Women 50.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Very Low
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | 33.2% |
International students | 8.2% | 4.7% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Town: Distant |
Dormitory capacity | 9,400 | 2,310 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Idaho Washington California Oregon Nevada |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 76.0% | 59.2% |
Dropout rate | 6.1% | 17.6% |
Transferred out | 16.7% | 21.7% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
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