Iowa State University vs Arizona State University

Iowa State University vs Arizona State University

Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)

Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, is particularly strong in Engineering, Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Biological Sciences. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, ISU is ranked approximately 450–500, and in the THE World University Rankings 2025, it falls in the 401–500 band. Arizona State University (ASU) located in Tempe, Arizona, has achieved international ranking for Innovation, Engineering, Business, Sustainability, and Public Affairs. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, ASU is placed at approximately 216, and in the THE World University Rankings 2025, it is placed at 155, indicating a better global academic reputation than ISU.

General Information

ISU was established in 1858 and is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU). It has approximately 30,000 students, providing a traditional Midwestern campus experience with an emphasis on agriculture and applied sciences. ASU, which was founded in 1885, is significantly larger with approximately 140,000 students on several campuses, ranking it among the largest public universities in the country. ASU focuses on innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinarity, whereas ISU maintains its character as a STEM and agriculture-oriented land-grant institution. 

Acceptance Rate & Admission

ISU has a moderately high acceptance rate of approximately 91%, accepting students with GPAs averaging 3.6 and SAT scores between 1080–1320. ASU is equally accessible, with an acceptance rate of approximately 88%, but certain programs, such as Engineering and Business, are more competitive with SAT scores over 1200 and GPAs around 3.7–3.8. In general, both universities are more expansive than highly competitive peers, although ASU receives more international applications because of its innovative reputation.

Research Impact & Facilities

ISU is an R1-classified research university with distinction, featuring Ames Laboratory (a U.S. Department of Energy National Lab), and contributions in materials science, agriculture, and veterinary medicine. ASU is also R1-classified but with far greater international visibility and ranking as a top leader in sustainability research, clean energy, space exploration, and interdisciplinary studies. ASU conducts large-scale research in partnership with institutions such as NASA and Mayo Clinic, and its School of Sustainability was the first of its kind in the United States.

Cost & Financial Aid

At ISU, the fees are around $11,500 a year for in-state students and $27,000 for out-of-state/international students. At ASU, the fees are slightly more, at $12,700 a year for in-state students and $32,000–34,000 for out-of-state/international students. Both of the universities have scholarships to offer but have more merit-based opportunities available for high-achieving students at ASU, with significant funding support available in agriculture, engineering, and the STEM fields at ISU.

Graduate Studies & Alumni Outcomes

ISU alumni succeed in engineering, agriculture, veterinary medicine, and sciences, with average mid-career pay being about $85,000 (INR 70 lakh). ASU graduates thrive in business, technology, sustainability, and public policy, with slightly higher mid-career pay at about $90,000 (INR 74 lakh). ISU alumni particularly have significant impact in agriculture, agribusiness, and STEM fields, while ASU alumni lead the way in technology, entrepreneurship, and public affairs due to its strong connection with industry and innovation centers in Arizona.