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Naman Arora Study Abroad Course Specialist
Study Abroad Course Specialist | Updated On - Sep 8, 2025
Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa, part of the Ames metropolitan area. Admissions are moderately selective, with ISU’s acceptance rate around 91%. It is a large institution with about 26,000 undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at Iowa State include Engineering, Business, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, and Computer Science. The six-year graduation rate is about 74%, and alumni report median earnings of approximately INR 52,00,000 or USD 62,000 a decade after graduation.
University of Iowa (UI), located in Iowa City, Iowa, is a flagship public research university and a member of the Big Ten Conference. Admissions are moderately competitive, with UI’s acceptance rate around 84%. It enrolls about 22,000 undergraduates. Some of the most popular programs at UI include Business, Nursing, Psychology, Engineering, and Health Professions. The six-year graduation rate is about 74%, and alumni report median earnings of around INR 54,00,000 or USD 64,000 a decade after graduation.
| Iowa State University | University of Iowa | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4.8 Out of 10 | 5.2 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 449 QS World University 2026 # 200 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 401 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 530 QS World University 2026 # 160 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 251 Times Higher Education 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 49 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 217 for Medicine by QS World University 2024 # 401 for Law by Times Higher Education 2023 | # 74 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 251 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 36 for Law by US News 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -128 PG Programs -56 Doctorate Programs -1 | UG Programs -83 PG Programs -49 Doctorate Programs -66 |
| Acceptance Rate | 89.1 % | 84.7 % |
| Exam Score | Duolingo-100 IELTS-6 PTE-48 SAT-1160 TOEFL-79 | IELTS-7 SAT-1140 TOEFL-100 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 26136 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 28644 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 10808 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 32408 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 13418 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 21888 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the top employers of the university’s graduate inlcude: Iowa State, Amazon, John Deere, AmeriCorps, Eurofins, Wells Fargo, IBM, Collins Aerospace, KCCI-TV , Kingland Systems Corp., Principal Financial Group. The average salary for bachelor programs range between $38,000 to $88,000. The average salary for Masters program ranges between $63,000-$108,000. | 96% of the students of the business school of the university were employed within six months of graduation with a median salary of $52,000. Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Masters in Science: $96,000 Bachelor of Science: $90,000 Bachelor of Arts: $85,000 Other Degree: $61,000 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language scores Submit bank statement Submit passport Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit entrance exam scores Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.9/10 Read 2 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 7 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 49 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 251 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 320 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 | # 401 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 451 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 88/120 | Duolingo - 120/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 68/90TOEFL - 81/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -14762 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -31500 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Nov 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Apr 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) Jul 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) | Oct 15, 2024 (Application Deadline For Summer 2025 Intake) Feb 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake) Apr 15, 2025 (Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Iowa State University | University of Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1858 | 1847 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 19:1 | 16:1 |
| Male:Female | 56% Male, 44% Female | 48% Male, 52% Female |
| Location Facts | The campus is located at Ames, Iowa and is spread over an area of 1,813 acres. | The University of Iowa's main campus is located in Iowa City. The campus is roughly bordered by Park Road and U.S. Highway 6 to the north and Dubuque and Gilbert Streets to the east. The Iowa River flows through the campus, dividing it into west and east sides. |
| Library | The state of the art library provides access to various publications, journals, e-books etc. Some of the figures of the library are: Volumes held: 1,803,425 | The University of Iowa library system is the state's largest library and comprises the Main Library, the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, five branch libraries, and the Law Library. The University Libraries' holdings include more than five million bound volumes, more than 200,000 rare books, and 1000 historical manuscript collections. |
| Campus Life | Iowa State operates 20 on-campus residence halls. The residence halls are divided into geographical areas. The governing body for ISU students is ISU Student Government. ClubFest, held at the start of each semester, showcases Iowa State's 800+ student organizations. The list of clubs represents a broad range of interests, including academics, sports, social issues, hobbies, culture/identity, leadership, and more. The Memorial Union has been the campus hub for student activities since 1928, offering a wide range of programming, amenities, and student service centers where you'll feel welcome and valued as part of the Iowa State community. In addition to events, entertainment and creative arts programming, Student Engagement provides opportunities for leadership development, networking, and collaborations with people who have different perspectives than your own. | Student Life is a one-stop resource for events, student clubs and organizations, community resources, and student support. You can live just a short walk or bus ride away from the heart of campus with your fellow first-year students in Iowa's residence halls. There are over 500 student organizations, including groups focused on politics, sports, games, lifestyles, dance, song, theater, and a variety of other activities. The University of Iowa has 20 varsity athletic teams, known as the Hawkeyes. All teams are members of the Big Ten Conference in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I. In 2004 the university established an annual $25,000 contract with the newly reopened Iowa City Englert Theatre to host concerts and performances for as many as 40 nights a year. Students participate in a variety of student media organizations. |
| Hostel | #Housing & Food - $10808 | #On campus - $10450 #Off campus (with family) - $2850 #Off campus (not with family) - $8588 |
| Famous Alumni | Stephanie A. Burns, chairman, president and CEO, Dow Corning, winner of 2011 International Palladium Medal.[22] | James Cartwright, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff George Gallup, founder of Gallup Poll Silas B. Hays, former Surgeon General of the United States Army Ashton Kutcher, actor Tennessee Williams, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright |
| City Life | Ames is the epitome of a college town. There is an equal amount of big- and small-city feel within this 64,000-strong city. During football season, the campus and downtown area are bursting with energy, but when students head home for the summer, its small-town charm continues to thrive.There's a wide array of career opportunity with the college campus nearby and a thriving tech industry, better known as the Silicon Prairie. In fact, the unemployment rate in Ames is a strikingly low 1.6%. And getting around is easy: a whopping 15.2% of residents commute by walking or biking. The downtown historic district boasts a wide variety of music and food events throughout the year. Local businesses host musicians in storefronts during the Music Walk in spring; Foodies & Brew in the summer offers samplings from local restaurants, wineries, and breweries, as well as live music; and the annual Art Walk showcases the town's creative arts community with various local artists. | Iowa City is a town in Iowa with a population of 74,240. Iowa City is in Johnson County and is one of the best places to live in Iowa. Living in Iowa City offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their homes. In Iowa City there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Home to attractions such as The University of Iowa and The Old Capitol Museum, visitors can explore outdoor activities and historical sites when visiting Iowa City. There are also plenty of museums, galleries, and performance venues such as The Kalona Historical Village and Studio Arts. For entertainment, visitors can explore boutique shops and restaurants along with movie theaters and live music clubs. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an exciting night out, Iowa City has something for everyone! |
| Weather |
Iowa State University vs University of Iowa
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Iowa State University (ISU), located in Ames, Iowa, is most famous for Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Biological Sciences. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, ISU is ranked approximately 450–500, while in the THE World University Rankings 2025, it comes in the 401–500 band. The University of Iowa (UI), headquartered in Iowa City, is particularly renowned in Health Sciences, Law, Business, Creative Writing, and Public Health. UI is placed above ISU internationally at around 421 in QS 2026 and 201–250 in THE 2025, with its wider international reputation.
General Information
ISU was established in 1858 as a land-grant and has a student body of approximately 30,000, providing a traditional Midwestern college-town setting with STEM and agriculture emphasis. UI, founded in 1847, is the state's oldest university and has a student population of around 31,000. It is the state's flagship public research university with liberal arts, health sciences, and professional programs reputation. ISU focuses on applied STEM education, whereas UI has a balance of highly respected professional schools, humanities, and health sciences.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
ISU has a rather high acceptance rate of around 91%, with accepted students usually possessing GPAs in the region of 3.6 and SAT scores of 1080–1320. UI is rather more selective with an acceptance rate of around 84%, accepting students with average GPAs ranging in the region of 3.7 and SAT scores ranging between 1130–1350. ISU is a bit more open to students of STEM disciplines, while UI is slightly more selective, especially for the health sciences, business, and law.
Research Impact & Facilities
ISU is an R1-classified research institution, which includes the Ames Laboratory (a U.S. Department of Energy National Lab) and which has made contributions in agricultural sciences, materials research, and veterinary medicine. UI is also an R1 research institution, which is known for its very highly ranked Carver College of Medicine, its pioneering Iowa Writers' Workshop, and leadership in health sciences and public policy research. UI’s association with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics provides a major advantage in medical and health-related research.
Cost & Financial Aid
ISU's annual tuition stands at roughly $11,500 for in-state students and $27,000 for out-of-state/international students. UI is slightly more expensive, at around $11,700 for in-state and $31,000 for out-of-state/international students. Both schools offer scholarships, although UI offers more scholarships related to health sciences and arts funding, whereas ISU focuses on scholarships in STEM and agriculture fields.
Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes
ISU alumni often pursue careers in applied sciences, engineering, veterinary medicine, and agriculture, with mid-career salaries averaging $85,000 (INR 70 lakh). UI alumni are well represented in law, medicine, business, education, and creative fields, with mid-career salaries at about $87,000 (INR 71.5 lakh). ISU has a very strong representation in the STEM and agribusiness industries, while UI alumni have a stronghold on healthcare systems, legal occupations, public service, and creative sectors.
