Iowa State vs Central Florida - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
A place is harder to win where the bar sits higher: Central Florida admits 44.7%, Iowa State admits 88.7%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Iowa State awards international students $12,582 on average, Central Florida awards $928.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Iowa State lists $42,789 against $42,038 (Central Florida), but after average aid what remains is $27,124 against $30,224.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Iowa State: $63K against $58K.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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
Central Florida is the more selective of the two (44.71% vs 88.66% acceptance). Central Florida ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #401-500). Iowa State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($63K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $28,881 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 Iowa State for: higher graduate earnings, a larger aid package.
Choose Central Florida for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Central Florida is more selective (44.71% vs 88.66% acceptance); Central Florida has a higher median SAT (1260 vs 1250).
Iowa State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($63K vs $58K); Central Florida has a higher 6-year graduation rate (78% vs 75.3%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $28,881); Iowa State offers a larger average aid package ($15,665 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 55,135 |
| International students | 3.7% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 78% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $40 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Central Florida. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Iowa State or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Iowa State graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $63K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Central Florida?
Central Florida ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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