Iowa State vs Penn - 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 Penn turns away the overwhelming majority (5.4%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 13.3% (Penn) against 3.7% (Iowa State).
Real money goes to international students at Penn ($75,356 on average), while Iowa State stops at $12,582.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Penn lists $92,524 against $42,789 (Iowa State), but after average aid what remains is $21,553 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
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 88.66% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#501-600 vs #14). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $63K). Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $71,236 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 Penn 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
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 88.66% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1250).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $63K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 75.3%).
Iowa State has lower sticker-price tuition ($28,881 vs $71,236); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $15,665).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Iowa State | Penn |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #501-600 | #14 |
| Rank · THE | - | - |
| Acceptance rate | 88.66% | 5.4% |
| Yield rate | 28.8% | 68% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.75 | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 23,095 | 65,236 |
| International students | 3.7% | 13.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $63K | $111K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $70K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $90K | $183K |
| Graduation rate | 75.3% | 96.5% |
| Retention rate | 87.6% | 98.8% |
| Median debt | $22,869 | $15,715 |
| Tuition · year | $28,881 | $71,236 |
| Avg. aid package | $15,665 | $70,971 |
| % of need met | 78% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,475 | $32,558 |
| Application fee | $40 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,432 | 24,023 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Iowa State or Penn?
It's harder to get into Penn. Iowa State accepts 88.66% of applicants, while Penn accepts 5.4%.
Do Iowa State or Penn graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $63K.
How much is tuition at Iowa State vs Penn?
Sticker-price tuition is $28,881 per year at Iowa State and $71,236 per year at Penn.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State or Penn?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Iowa State and 1553 at Penn; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Iowa State or Penn?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #501-600 for Iowa State vs #14 for Penn.
Which university offers more financial aid - Iowa State or Penn?
The average aid package is $15,665 at Iowa State and $70,971 at Penn.
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