Ole Miss vs Iowa State

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant college towns of Oxford, Mississippi, and Ames, Iowa, home to the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Iowa State University (ISU), respectively. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences. Ole Miss, with its acceptance rate of 80%, welcomes a diverse student body, while ISU's 89% acceptance rate reflects its commitment to accessibility. Explore the nuances of each institution, from their popular majors in Business, Engineering, and Education to their unique student demographics and graduation rates. Delve into our comprehensive comparison table to uncover the details that will help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.

	Iowa State University	University of Mississippi
Overview
Location	Ames, Iowa	University, Mississippi
Campus setting	City: Small	Town: Remote
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%	88.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	91.1%	89.7%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $40 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1083 - 1330	1025 - 1225
ACT range	21 - 28	21 - 29
Students submitting SAT score	13.0%	19.0%
Students submitting ACT score	63.0%	75.0%
Total number of applicants	20,357	19,531
Total number of admissions given out	18,550	17,512
Admitted students who chose to enroll	5,387	3,580
Yield rate	29.0%	20.4%
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: $22,152 Out of state: $37,964	In state: $26,956 Out of state: $43,798
Average net price	$15,422	$13,528
Tuition	In state: $8,324 Out of state: $24,136	In state: $8,934 Out of state: $25,776
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $4,590 Meal plan: $4,498	Room/dormitory: $6,514 Meal plan: $4,628
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	87.0% Average amount $8,833	80.0% Average amount $12,666
Students receiving federal student loan	47.0% Average amount $5,202	36.0% Average amount $5,241
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $11,630	9.0% Average amount $20,037

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	25,808 Men 56.1% Women 43.9%	16,092 Men 42.4% Women 57.6%
Graduate students	4,900 Men 50.6% Women 49.4%	5,111 Men 39.1% Women 60.9%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Very Low	Low
Out-of-state students	N/A	61.3%
International students	8.2%	3.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	Town: Remote
Dormitory capacity	9,400	5,027
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	N/A	Mississippi Texas Tennessee Georgia Illinois

Academics
Popular study areas	Engineering Agriculture Education Business Biological and Biomedical Sciences	Business Health Professions Education Communication and Journalism Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	76.0%	68.4%
Dropout rate	6.1%	30.5%
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	Dentistry (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $83,252 Year 2: $112,488 Year 3: $127,109 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $123,875 Year 2: $117,309 Year 3: $117,890 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,925 Year 2: $88,614 Year 3: $90,158 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $70,391 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $73,067 Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $62,435 Year 2: $58,447 Year 3: $72,798 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,284 Year 2: $59,417 Year 3: $69,021 Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $67,417 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $68,473 Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $51,810 Year 2: $52,151 Year 3: $66,523 Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $49,840 Year 3: $62,635 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $51,636 Year 2: $50,439 Year 3: $62,210

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Iowa State University (ISU)?

The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) and Iowa State University (ISU) differ significantly in location, campus culture, and academic focus. Ole Miss, located in Oxford, Mississippi, offers a traditional Southern college experience with a strong emphasis on Greek life and SEC athletics. Iowa State, situated in Ames, Iowa, is a land-grant university known for its STEM programs, particularly in agriculture and engineering, and a more Midwestern, research-oriented environment. Ole Miss generally has a smaller student body and a more intimate campus feel compared to ISU's larger, more diverse student population.
Which university is better for students interested in STEM fields?

Iowa State University is generally considered stronger in STEM fields, particularly in engineering, agriculture, and related sciences. ISU has a long-standing reputation and extensive resources dedicated to these areas. While Ole Miss offers STEM programs, ISU's programs are typically more highly ranked and have greater research opportunities.
How do the campus cultures compare at Ole Miss and Iowa State?

Ole Miss has a strong Southern campus culture characterized by Greek life, SEC football, and a focus on tradition. Iowa State offers a more diverse and inclusive environment with a wider range of student organizations and activities. ISU's campus culture is generally considered more academically focused and less centered on social hierarchies than Ole Miss.
What are the differences in tuition and cost of living between the two universities?

Tuition and cost of living can vary. Generally, Iowa State University may have a lower in-state tuition cost compared to Ole Miss. However, out-of-state tuition at Ole Miss might be competitive. The cost of living in Oxford, Mississippi, and Ames, Iowa, is relatively similar, but this can fluctuate. It's best to check the universities' official websites for the most up-to-date tuition and fee schedules and research the cost of living in each city.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Iowa State University has a stronger emphasis on research, particularly in STEM fields. As a land-grant university, ISU has a significant research infrastructure and numerous opportunities for students to get involved in research projects. While Ole Miss also conducts research, ISU's research output and funding are generally higher.
How do the acceptance rates compare between Ole Miss and Iowa State?

Acceptance rates can fluctuate year to year. Historically, Ole Miss has had a slightly higher acceptance rate than Iowa State, making it potentially easier to get into. However, both universities are selective and require strong academic records for admission. Check the latest admission statistics on each university's website for the most current information.
What are the popular majors at each university?

At Ole Miss, popular majors include business administration, accountancy, integrated marketing communications, and pharmacy. At Iowa State, popular majors include engineering (especially agricultural, mechanical, and aerospace), agriculture, business, and design. These reflect each university's strengths and areas of focus.
How do the athletic programs compare?

Both universities have strong athletic programs. Ole Miss competes in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), known for its highly competitive football and baseball programs. Iowa State competes in the Big 12 Conference, with strong programs in wrestling, basketball, and football. The choice depends on your preference for conference affiliation and specific sports.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each university?

The student-to-faculty ratio is an indicator of class size and access to professors. Typically, Ole Miss has a slightly lower student-to-faculty ratio than Iowa State, potentially offering more personalized attention. However, both universities strive to provide a supportive learning environment. Check the university websites for the most current ratios.
Which university is more diverse?

Iowa State University generally has a more diverse student body than the University of Mississippi. ISU attracts students from a wider range of geographic locations and cultural backgrounds. While Ole Miss is working to increase diversity on campus, ISU currently has a more established and diverse student population.

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