Georgetown vs Iowa State - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Iowa State accepts most of the applications it receives (88.7%), while Georgetown turns away the overwhelming majority (13.5%).
The more international environment is at Georgetown (14.4% international students) than Iowa State (3.7%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Georgetown awards international students $75,050 on average, Iowa State awards $12,582.
The tuition gap is $45,851 a year: $28,881 (Iowa State) against $74,732.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Georgetown is the more selective of the two (13.5% vs 88.66% acceptance). Georgetown graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($103K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $74,732 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Georgetown for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Iowa State for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Georgetown is more selective (13.5% vs 88.66% acceptance); Georgetown has a higher median SAT (1480 vs 1250).
Georgetown graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($103K vs $63K); Georgetown has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.8% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $74,732); Georgetown offers a larger average aid package ($63,415 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Georgetown | Iowa State |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 13.5% | 88.66% |
| Yield rate | 43.9% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 1480 | 1250 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.75 |
| Number of applications | 26,822 | 23,095 |
| International students | 14.4% | 3.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $103K | $63K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $44K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $168K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 94.8% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 96.3% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $15,500 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $74,732 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $63,415 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 100% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $33,272 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 19,905 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Georgetown or Iowa State?
It's harder to get into Georgetown. Georgetown accepts 13.5% of applicants, while Iowa State accepts 88.66%.
Do Georgetown or Iowa State graduates earn more?
Georgetown graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $103K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Georgetown vs Iowa State?
Sticker-price tuition is $74,732 per year at Georgetown and $28,881 per year at Iowa State.
What SAT score do you need for Georgetown or Iowa State?
The median admitted SAT score is 1480 at Georgetown and 1250 at Iowa State; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university offers more financial aid - Georgetown or Iowa State?
The average aid package is $63,415 at Georgetown and $15,665 at Iowa State.
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