Iowa State vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Houston: 73.9% against 88.7% (Iowa State).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Iowa State awards international students $12,582 on average, Houston awards $4,456.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1250 and 1240.
Both universities have a small international community (at most 5.7% of students), which is worth weighing if that environment matters to you.
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
Houston is the more selective of the two (73.92% vs 88.66% acceptance). Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #201-300). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($63K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Houston for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Houston is more selective (73.92% vs 88.66% acceptance); Iowa State has a higher median SAT (1250 vs 1240).
Iowa State graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($63K vs $62K); Iowa State has a higher 6-year graduation rate (75.3% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $28,881); Houston offers a larger average aid package ($16,450 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 31,716 |
| International students | 3.7% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 87% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 78% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Houston?
It's harder to get into Houston. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Iowa State or Houston graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $63K at Iowa State and $62K at Houston.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Houston?
Houston ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Houston?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $16,450 at Houston.
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