Texas rio grande valley vs Iowa state — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Iowa state is the more selective of the two (88.7% vs 94.2% acceptance). Iowa state ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #501-600). Iowa state graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($63K vs $50K). Texas rio grande valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($19,827 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 Texas rio grande valley for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
Choose Iowa state 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
Iowa state is more selective (88.7% vs 94.2% acceptance); Iowa state has a higher median SAT (1204 vs 985).
Iowa state graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($63K vs $50K); Iowa state has a higher 6-year graduation rate (75.3% vs 50.9%).
Texas rio grande valley has lower sticker-price tuition ($19,827 vs $28,881); Iowa state offers a larger average aid package ($15,665 vs $11,242).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas rio grande valley | Iowa state |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | — | — |
| Acceptance rate | 94.2% | 88.7% |
| Yield rate | 55.4% | 28.8% |
| Median SAT | 985 | 1204 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 12,137 | 23,095 |
| International students | 3% | 8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $63K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $56K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $90K |
| Graduation rate | 50.9% | 75.3% |
| Retention rate | 78.9% | 87.6% |
| Median debt | $12,950 | $22,869 |
| Tuition · year | $19,827 | $28,881 |
| Avg. aid package | $11,242 | $15,665 |
| % of need met | 72% | 78% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $14,589 | $29,475 |
| Application fee | — | $40 |
| Enrollment | 31,864 | 30,432 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas rio grande valley or Iowa state?
It's harder to get into Iowa state. Texas rio grande valley accepts 94.2% of applicants, while Iowa state accepts 88.7%.
Do Texas rio grande valley or Iowa state graduates earn more?
Iowa state graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $63K vs $50K.
How much is tuition at Texas rio grande valley vs Iowa state?
Sticker-price tuition is $19,827 per year at Texas rio grande valley and $28,881 per year at Iowa state.
What SAT score do you need for Texas rio grande valley or Iowa state?
The median admitted SAT score is 985 at Texas rio grande valley and 1204 at Iowa state; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Texas rio grande valley or Iowa state?
Iowa state ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Texas rio grande valley vs #501-600 for Iowa state.
Which university offers more financial aid — Texas rio grande valley or Iowa state?
The average aid package is $11,242 at Texas rio grande valley and $15,665 at Iowa state.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
Northwestern