Explore alternatives based on outcomes, location, cost, and admission difficulty
Given Iowa State's 89% acceptance rate, most academically prepared students should view admission as accessible rather than highly competitive. However, students seeking alternatives should consider these options.
These schools offer higher acceptance rates while delivering comparable career outcomes.
For even more accessible admission, consider Wartburg College (99.4% acceptance) located 77 miles away, with graduates earning $56,201. Cedar Crest College in Pennsylvania admits 99.1% of applicants with graduates earning $59,460. Union Adventist University in Nebraska accepts 99.9% with earnings of $55,045, located 178 miles away.
Strong options in the same region with comparable academic profiles.
Within Iowa, Grinnell College offers similar earnings of $62,830 just 51 miles away, though with highly selective 12.7% admission. Simpson College provides comparable outcomes at $59,274 with similar 88.9% admission rates, located 46 miles away. University of Northern Iowa maintains 94.4% admission with $55,177 earnings, 70 miles from Iowa State.
Schools with comparable admission profiles — useful for building a balanced list.
Universities with comparable admission rates include University of Northern Iowa (94.4% admission, $55,177 earnings) and Grand View University (98.4% admission, $52,824 earnings), both in Iowa. These institutions serve similar student populations with accessible admission standards.
Elite universities with similar prestige and academic caliber
