Key differences on Cost & aid
- 1
Iowa State costs about $7.2K less per year on average than U. Iowa ($23,986 vs. $31,157, all students)
Average cost, all students - 2
Iowa State's grants cover 26% of its full price on average, vs. 19% at U. Iowa
Aid generosity
Cost & aid
Cost & aid
Average cost, aid generosity, net price by family income, sticker prices, and grants.
What students pay
Grants
Sticker prices
On one scale, so the bars read against each other.
Up to $110K: the average net price per year for students receiving federal aid, 2023–24; families who didn't file the FAFSA aren't included. Above it the published data end. For your own number, use the college's net price calculator .
Family income per year $150K
- Iowa StateLittle need-based aid above $110K
Merit possible; averaging $9K
- U. IowaLittle need-based aid above $110K
Published (federal figure, up to $110K) EstimateBars share one scale: the largest full price.
Where need-based aid ends, merit, and published promises
| Metric | Iowa State | U. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Need-based aid up to | Little need-based aid above $110K | Little need-based aid above $110K |
| Merit for students without need | 43% got merit aid, averaging $9K | – |
| Published promise | – | – |
A college's own promise is stated for a typical family and changes yearly; where a promise and our estimate disagree, the promise wins. Merit has no income limit, so it can lower the price above the point where need-based aid ends.
Tuition guarantee & Promise program
| Metric | Iowa State | U. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition guarantee | No | No |
| Promise program | No | No |
From the colleges' Common Data Sets
| Metric | Iowa State | U. Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Aid forms | FAFSA | – |
| Aid priority date or deadline | February 29 (priority) | – |
| Need met, first-years | 69% | – |
| Average aid package, first-years | $16,025 | – |
| College grant dollars given as merit | 46% | – |
| Aid for international students | 566 students, average $13.1K | – |
Sources:IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey, 2023–24;College Scorecard, 2023–24;Iowa State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 entrants;Iowa State University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2024–25;College Scorecard, most recent release;Common Data Set, most recent release;Iowa State University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why