University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) vs Iowa State
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant energy of Los Angeles or surrounded by the serene landscapes of Iowa. University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) and Iowa State University (ISU) offer distinct experiences, each with its own unique strengths. UCLA, a renowned public research university, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs, while ISU, a land-grant institution, excels in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. With acceptance rates of 12% and 86%, respectively, these universities cater to different levels of academic competitiveness. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to discover which university aligns best with your aspirations and goals.
  | 
       | 
          
        
          
             
          
          Iowa State University | 
          
        
          
             
          
          University of California-Los Angeles | 
      
|---|---|---|
    Overview | 
||
| Location | Ames, Iowa | Los Angeles, California | 
| Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large | 
| College type | 4 year | 4 year | 
| Control/business model | Public | Public | 
| Calendar system | Semester | Quarter | 
| Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate | 
| Students retention rate | 88.0% | 97.0% | 
    
       
      Common app member
    
   | 
      Yes | No | 
| Religious affiliation | ||
| 
       | 
  ||
    Admission | 
||
| Acceptance rate | 91.1% | 10.8% | 
| Application fees | 
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $40
           
          
            Graduate:
            $60
           
                   | 
      
                         
            Undergraduate:
            $70
           
          
            Graduate:
            $120
           
                   | 
  
| SAT range | 1083 - 1330 | N/A | 
| ACT range | 21 - 28 | N/A | 
| Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
| Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | |
| Total number of applicants | 20,357 | 139,489 | 
| Total number of admissions given out | 18,550 | 15,028 | 
| Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,387 | 6,584 | 
| Yield rate | 29.0% | 43.8% | 
| 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 | Not required | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Tuition and Fees | 
||
| Sticker price | 
                         
            In state:
            $22,152
           
          
            Out of state:
            $37,964
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $36,173
           
          
            Out of state:
            $65,927
           
                   | 
  
| Average net price | $15,422 | $13,393 | 
| Tuition | 
                         
            In state:
            $8,324
           
          
            Out of state:
            $24,136
           
                   | 
      
                         
            In state:
            $11,442
           
          
            Out of state:
            $41,196
           
                   | 
  
| Room & board | 
                         
            Room/dormitory:
            $4,590
           
          
            Meal plan:
            $4,498
           
                   | 
      $16,763 | 
| Available payment plans | 
                        
  | 
      
                        
  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Financial Aid | 
||
| 
    Students receiving financial aid
     (Grants & scholarships)  | 
      
              
          87.0%
        
         Average amount $8,833  | 
      
              
          45.0%
        
         Average amount $17,592  | 
  
| Students receiving federal student loan | 
              
          47.0%
        
         Average amount $5,202  | 
      
              
          11.0%
        
         Average amount $4,391  | 
  
| Students taking out private loans | 
              
          11.0%
        
         Average amount $11,630  | 
      
              
          1.0%
        
         Average amount $19,764  | 
  
| 
       | 
  ||
    Students and Campus | 
||
| Undergraduate students | 
              
          25,808
        
        
           Men 56.1% Women 43.9%  | 
      
              
          32,122
        
        
           Men 40.2% Women 59.8%  | 
  
| Graduate students | 
              
          4,900
        
        
           Men 50.6% Women 49.4%  | 
      
              
          13,994
        
        
           Men 50.5% Women 49.5%  | 
  
| Racial/ethnic diversity | 
              
           Very Low 
       | 
      
              
           Moderate 
    
    
    
       | 
  
| Out-of-state students | N/A | 21.9% | 
| International students | 8.2% | 14.5% | 
| Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large | 
| Dormitory capacity | 9,400 | 20,372 | 
| First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No | 
| Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | California Texas Washington New York Illinois | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Academics | 
||
| Popular study areas | 
              
  | 
      
              
  | 
  
| Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 18:1 | 
| Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | 
| 
       | 
  ||
    Outcome | 
||
| Graduation rate | 76.0% | 92.1% | 
| Dropout rate | 6.1% | 3.7% | 
| Transferred out | 16.7% | 3.6% | 
| 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)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
      
               
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Applied Mathematics (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Law (First Professional Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Mechanical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                      
 
              
                
                  Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
                
              
               
                  
  | 
  
    
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      Common app member