U of O vs Iowa State
Nestled in the heart of Eugene, Oregon, the University of Oregon (UO) and Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, Iowa, stand as two distinct academic powerhouses with unique offerings. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. UO boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process, while ISU offers a more open admissions policy. UO's student body is slightly larger and more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students. In terms of academics, UO excels in liberal arts and sciences, while ISU is renowned for its programs in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve deeper into these differences and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Iowa State University |
![]() University of Oregon |
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Overview |
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Location | Ames, Iowa | Eugene, Oregon |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 88.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 91.1% | 93.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
|
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$70
|
SAT range | 1083 - 1330 | N/A |
ACT range | 21 - 28 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 63.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 20,357 | 31,558 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,550 | 29,483 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,387 | 4,589 |
Yield rate | 29.0% | 15.6% |
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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$22,152
Out of state:
$37,964
|
In state:
$28,404
Out of state:
$54,447
|
Average net price | $15,422 | $18,556 |
Tuition |
In state:
$8,324
Out of state:
$24,136
|
In state:
$11,974
Out of state:
$38,017
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$4,590
Meal plan:
$4,498
|
$13,509 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
87.0%
Average amount $8,833 |
63.0%
Average amount $13,590 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,202 |
32.0%
Average amount $5,093 |
Students taking out private loans |
11.0%
Average amount $11,630 |
4.0%
Average amount $28,121 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
25,808
Men 56.1% Women 43.9% |
18,602
Men 44.5% Women 55.5% |
Graduate students |
4,900
Men 50.6% Women 49.4% |
3,655
Men 45.4% Women 54.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 54.8% |
International students | 8.2% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 9,400 | 5,523 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Oregon California Washington Colorado Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 18:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 76.0% | 74.4% |
Dropout rate | 6.1% | 8.7% |
Transferred out | 16.7% | 16.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Construction Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Physics (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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