Iowa State University vs University of Utah

Iowa State University and University of Utah are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Utah is more selective with a 87.2% acceptance rate compared to Iowa State University's 89.1%. Average SAT scores are 1199 and 1231 respectively.

Cost: University of Utah offers a lower average net price at $13,172, which is $4,993 less than Iowa State University ($18,165). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Utah earn a median salary of $67,170 ten years after enrollment, which is $3,784 more than Iowa State University graduates ($63,386).

Graduation: Iowa State University leads with a 75.0% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 87.6% vs 85.4%.

Campus Size: University of Utah is the larger campus with 26,041 total students, while Iowa State University has 25,033.

Bottom Line: University of Utah stands out as both more affordable and producing higher-earning graduates — making it the stronger value proposition overall.