Iowa State vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology - 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology turns away the overwhelming majority (4.5%).
The larger international cohort belongs to Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 11.7% of students against 3.7% (Iowa State).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Massachusetts Institute of Technology awards international students $77,266 on average, Iowa State awards $12,582.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Massachusetts Institute of Technology lists $86,904 against $42,789 (Iowa State), but after average aid what remains is $18,546 against $27,124.
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the more selective of the two (4.55% vs 88.66% acceptance). Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #3). Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $64,730 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: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more selective (4.55% vs 88.66% acceptance); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1250).
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($143K vs $63K); Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.4% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $64,730); Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a larger average aid package ($68,358 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #3 |
| Rank · THE | - | #2 |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 4.55% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 86.1% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | - |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 28,232 |
| International students | 3.7% | 11.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $143K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $243K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 96.4% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 99% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $14,768 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $64,730 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $68,358 |
| % of need met | 78% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $29,488 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 11,886 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
It's harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Massachusetts Institute of Technology accepts 4.55%.
Do Iowa State or Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $143K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $64,730 per year at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1550 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #3 for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Massachusetts Institute of Technology?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $68,358 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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