Iowa State vs University of Arkansas (Uark)

Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas, both esteemed public research universities, offer distinct educational experiences. Iowa State, nestled in the heart of Ames, Iowa, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. In contrast, the University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, has a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process. While Iowa State excels in STEM fields, with popular majors like engineering, computer science, and agriculture, the University of Arkansas shines in business, education, and health professions. Both universities foster diverse student bodies, with Iowa State having a slightly larger international student population. When it comes to graduation rates, Iowa State holds a slight edge over the University of Arkansas. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table below, highlighting key differences between these two outstanding institutions.

	Iowa State University	University of Arkansas
Overview
Location	Ames, Iowa	Fayetteville, Arkansas
Campus setting	City: Small	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	88.0%	87.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	91.1%	82.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60
SAT range	1083 - 1330	1050 - 1220
ACT range	21 - 28	21 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	13.0%	26.0%
Students submitting ACT score	63.0%	78.0%
Total number of applicants	20,357	21,462
Total number of admissions given out	18,550	17,743
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,387	6,065
Yield rate	29.0%	34.2%
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: $26,978 Out of state: $43,794
Average net price	$15,422	$15,218
Tuition	In state: $8,324 Out of state: $24,136	In state: $7,666 Out of state: $24,482
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,590 Meal plan: $4,498	Room/dormitory: $7,744 Meal plan: $4,198
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	87.0% Average amount $8,833	65.0% Average amount $8,362
Students receiving federal student loan	47.0% Average amount $5,202	38.0% Average amount $5,442
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $11,630	6.0% Average amount $16,058

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	25,808 Men 56.1% Women 43.9%	24,265 Men 44.1% Women 55.9%
Graduate students	4,900 Men 50.6% Women 49.4%	4,803 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	56.6%
International students	8.2%	4.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	9,400	6,232
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Arkansas Texas Missouri Oklahoma Kansas

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Agriculture Education Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Engineering Education Health Professions Business Engineering Technologies
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	19:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	76.0%	69.7%
Dropout rate	6.1%	28.4%
Transferred out	16.7%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $122,450 Year 2: $106,421 Year 3: $123,792 Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,048 Year 2: $71,854 Year 3: $82,519 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,784 Year 2: $69,079 Year 3: $80,036 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,033 Year 2: $78,343 Year 3: $78,844 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,024 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $75,031 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,436 Year 2: $68,778 Year 3: $74,432 Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $75,594 Year 2: $69,524 Year 3: $73,914 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $57,595 Year 2: $62,463 Year 3: $72,333 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $53,737 Year 2: $58,479 Year 3: $68,196 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $50,418 Year 2: $50,606 Year 3: $66,051

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas?

Iowa State University (ISU) is a large, public land-grant university located in Ames, Iowa, known for its strong engineering, agriculture, and design programs. The University of Arkansas (UARK), also a large, public land-grant university, is located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and is recognized for its business, architecture, and poultry science programs. ISU tends to have a stronger focus on STEM fields overall, while UARK has a more prominent presence in business and architecture. Location also plays a key role; Ames is a smaller college town, while Fayetteville offers a more vibrant, growing metropolitan feel.
Which university is larger, Iowa State University or the University of Arkansas?

Iowa State University generally has a larger student body than the University of Arkansas. While enrollment numbers can fluctuate, ISU typically enrolls around 30,000+ students, whereas UARK enrolls around 28,000+ students. This difference in size can impact class sizes and the overall campus environment.
How do the academic reputations of Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas compare?

Both Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas are respected public universities. Iowa State is particularly well-regarded for its engineering, agriculture, and veterinary medicine programs, often ranking highly nationally. The University of Arkansas is known for its Sam M. Walton College of Business, architecture programs, and its strong presence in poultry science research. The 'best' university depends on your specific academic interests.
What is the cost of attendance at Iowa State University versus the University of Arkansas?

The cost of attendance varies depending on residency status. Generally, Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas have similar tuition rates for in-state students. However, out-of-state tuition at Iowa State may be slightly higher than at the University of Arkansas. Be sure to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, as well as scholarship opportunities.
What are the campus environments like at Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas?

Iowa State University's campus in Ames offers a classic college town experience. It's known for its beautiful central campus, strong sense of community, and active student life centered around clubs, organizations, and Cyclone athletics. The University of Arkansas' campus in Fayetteville is situated in a rapidly growing city with a vibrant arts and music scene. The campus itself is known for its historic architecture and Razorback spirit. Fayetteville offers a blend of college town charm and urban amenities.
What types of financial aid and scholarships are available at each university?

Both Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas offer a range of financial aid options, including federal student loans, grants, and scholarships. Both universities offer merit-based and need-based scholarships. It's crucial to visit the financial aid websites of both institutions to explore specific scholarship opportunities, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines. Completing the FAFSA is essential for accessing federal aid.
What are the popular majors at Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas?

At Iowa State University, popular majors include engineering (especially aerospace, mechanical, and agricultural), agriculture-related fields, business, and design. At the University of Arkansas, popular majors include business (particularly supply chain management), architecture, engineering, and communication. Consider your academic interests when comparing these programs.
How do the athletic programs compare between Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas?

Both Iowa State University (Cyclones) and the University of Arkansas (Razorbacks) are NCAA Division I schools and members of major athletic conferences (Big 12 and SEC, respectively). Both have strong athletic programs, particularly in football and basketball. The SEC is generally considered a more competitive athletic conference overall, especially in football. Consider which conference and athletic atmosphere appeal to you more.
What are the career opportunities like after graduating from Iowa State University versus the University of Arkansas?

Career opportunities after graduation depend heavily on your major. Iowa State University graduates often find opportunities in engineering, agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, particularly in the Midwest. University of Arkansas graduates often find opportunities in business, retail (due to Walmart's headquarters in Bentonville), architecture, and logistics, particularly in the South Central region. Both universities have career services departments to assist students with internships and job placement.
How do the research opportunities compare at Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas?

Both Iowa State University and the University of Arkansas are research universities with numerous opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. Iowa State has a strong research focus in areas like engineering, agriculture, and materials science. The University of Arkansas has notable research programs in business, poultry science, and nanotechnology. Explore the research areas that align with your interests on each university's website.

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