Iowa State vs Florida State

Iowa State University and Florida State University, two prominent public universities located in the heartland of America and the Sunshine State, respectively, offer distinct educational experiences to their students. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they differ in several key aspects, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. This side-by-side comparison delves into these differences, providing prospective students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their higher education journey. Explore the comprehensive table below to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations, personal preferences, and future career goals.

	Florida State University	Iowa State University
Overview
Location	Tallahassee, Florida	Ames, Iowa
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
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	94.0%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	37.1%	91.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1180 - 1340	1083 - 1330
ACT range	26 - 30	21 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	65.0%	13.0%
Students submitting ACT score	36.0%	63.0%
Total number of applicants	65,235	20,357
Total number of admissions given out	24,183	18,550
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,619	5,387
Yield rate	31.5%	29.0%
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

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $23,476 Out of state: $36,606	In state: $22,152 Out of state: $37,964
Average net price	$12,684	$15,422
Tuition	In state: $4,022 Out of state: $16,540	In state: $8,324 Out of state: $24,136
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $7,020 Meal plan: $4,856	Room/dormitory: $4,590 Meal plan: $4,498
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	94.0% Average amount $10,620	87.0% Average amount $8,833
Students receiving federal student loan	19.0% Average amount $4,996	47.0% Average amount $5,202
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $13,430	11.0% Average amount $11,630

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	33,593 Men 42.9% Women 57.1%	25,808 Men 56.1% Women 43.9%
Graduate students	11,537 Men 38.4% Women 61.6%	4,900 Men 50.6% Women 49.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	15.7%	N/A
International students	4.2%	8.2%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	6,709	9,400
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Florida Georgia New Jersey New York Illinois	N/A

Academics
Popular study areas	Health Professions Business Education Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession	Engineering Agriculture Education Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	22:1	18:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	83.2%	76.0%
Dropout rate	10.9%	6.1%
Transferred out	5.3%	16.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $86,926 Year 2: $92,632 Year 3: $102,429 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,442 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $89,448 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $66,610 Year 2: $68,305 Year 3: $78,263 Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,971 Year 2: $69,338 Year 3: $78,057 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,179 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $77,718 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $78,794 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $77,527 Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $64,567 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $75,845 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,881 Year 2: $68,918 Year 3: $74,476 Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: N/A Year 3: $74,364 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,216 Year 2: $60,325 Year 3: $72,686	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,739 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $101,292 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,956 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $95,081 Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $99,120 Year 2: $89,059 Year 3: $92,521 Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $77,573 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,299 Year 2: $73,321 Year 3: $83,452 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,598 Year 2: $73,839 Year 3: $83,292 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,184 Year 2: $71,734 Year 3: $81,196 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $83,223 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $79,916 Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,580 Year 2: $70,083 Year 3: $77,479 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,534 Year 2: $67,156 Year 3: $76,113

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Iowa State University (ISU) and Florida State University (FSU)?

Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant university located in Ames, Iowa, known for its strong engineering, agriculture, and design programs. It has a more Midwestern, campus-town feel. Florida State University (FSU), located in Tallahassee, Florida, is also a public university, but it's recognized for its programs in law, business, film, and the performing arts. FSU offers a more Southern, state-capital city experience. The climate is also a significant difference, with Iowa experiencing cold winters and Florida having a warm, subtropical climate.
Which university is larger, Iowa State or Florida State?

Iowa State University generally has a larger undergraduate student population than Florida State University. While enrollment numbers can fluctuate, ISU typically enrolls more undergraduate students.
How do the academic reputations of Iowa State and Florida State compare?

Both Iowa State and Florida State are well-regarded public universities. Iowa State excels in STEM fields, particularly engineering and agricultural sciences. Florida State has strong programs in areas like law, business, criminology, and film. The 'best' reputation depends on your specific field of study.
What is the cost of attendance at Iowa State versus Florida State?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency. Generally, Iowa State will be more affordable for Iowa residents, while Florida State will be more affordable for Florida residents. Out-of-state tuition and fees are typically higher at both institutions. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules.
What are the campus environments like at ISU and FSU?

Iowa State University has a classic college-town atmosphere in Ames, Iowa. The campus is known for its beautiful landscaping and friendly, welcoming environment. Florida State University, located in Tallahassee, offers a more urban campus experience within the state capital. It has a vibrant student life and a strong sense of school spirit.
What types of extracurricular activities and student organizations are available at each university?

Both Iowa State and Florida State offer a wide range of extracurricular activities and student organizations. You'll find everything from academic clubs and Greek life to sports teams and performing arts groups at both universities. FSU may have more opportunities related to state government and politics due to its location in the capital, while ISU may have more clubs related to agriculture and engineering.
How do the athletic programs compare between Iowa State and Florida State?

Both universities have strong athletic programs and compete in NCAA Division I. Iowa State is a member of the Big 12 Conference, while Florida State is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Florida State is particularly known for its football program, while Iowa State has strong programs in wrestling and basketball. Both schools offer a wide variety of varsity and intramural sports.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from Iowa State versus Florida State?

Career opportunities depend on your major and career goals. Iowa State graduates often find opportunities in engineering, agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, particularly in the Midwest. Florida State graduates may find opportunities in government, law, business, film, and the arts, especially in the Southeast. Both universities have career services centers to assist students with internships and job placement.
Which university is better for international students?

Both Iowa State and Florida State welcome international students and offer resources to support them. The 'better' choice depends on your program of study and personal preferences. Consider factors like the size of the international student community, the availability of programs in your field, and the overall cost of attendance.
What are the surrounding cities like near Iowa State and Florida State?

Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa, a smaller college town with a strong sense of community. It's a safe and affordable place to live. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida, the state capital. Tallahassee offers a more diverse range of cultural and entertainment options, as well as opportunities for internships and jobs in state government.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Iowa State vs Florida State

Florida State University

Iowa State University

Overview

Admission

Tuition and Fees

Financial Aid

Students and Campus

Academics

Outcome

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Iowa State University (ISU) and Florida State University (FSU)?

Which university is larger, Iowa State or Florida State?

How do the academic reputations of Iowa State and Florida State compare?

What is the cost of attendance at Iowa State versus Florida State?

What are the campus environments like at ISU and FSU?

What types of extracurricular activities and student organizations are available at each university?

How do the athletic programs compare between Iowa State and Florida State?

What are the career opportunities like after graduating from Iowa State versus Florida State?

Which university is better for international students?

What are the surrounding cities like near Iowa State and Florida State?

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