The life of a Cyclone

Like a Cyclone, you build your own momentum. You take what surrounds you and transform it into something fierce, fearless, and unforgettable. 

Sound familiar? You might just be a Cyclone in the making. 

At Iowa State, you'll find the spark to begin again. The chance to step into your next era with bold confidence. A place to dig deep and chase big dreams, to shake off limits and to build something that never goes out of style. Here, you'll write your own reputation, create your wildest dreams, and leave a legacy that hits different, not just for you, but for the world. 

A reputation that's timeless

Iowa State continues to be a top public university choice for students from Illinois, offering strong academic outcomes and exceptional value. More than 85% of Iowa State students receive financial aid and 45% graduate debt-free. It's easy to see why Iowa State is more than a smart choice, it's golden. 

See how Iowa State compares to 12 Illinois public universities in key areas like six-year graduation rate, first-year retention rate, and cost. 

Undergraduate students6-year graduation rateFirst-year retention rateCost
Iowa State University75%89%$26,886 with top first-year scholarships
Chicago State University22%52%$23,970
Eastern Illinois University50%68%$26,440
Governors State University20%55%$21,494
Illinois State University66%81%$27,898
University of Illinois at Chicago62%82%$28,892
University of Illinois Springfield55%70%$24,174
University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign85%94%$35,862
Northeastern Illinois University20%60%$22,125
Northern Illinois University51%70%$30,164
Southern Illinois University Carbondale51%66%$25,358
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville52%75%$26,456
Western Illinois University47%61%$24,464

Notes

Graduation and retention data: Six-year graduation rates are sourced from each university's Common Data Set, as published on university websites. First-year retention rates are reported by the Illinois Board of Higher Education for the 2024-25 academic year. Iowa State statistics reflect students from Illinois. 

Cost comparison: Cost for Illinois universities include tuition, fees, and food and housing for the 2024-25 academic year. Iowa State's cost reflects out-of-state tuition, fees, and food and housing for Fall 2024, which scholarships applied for a student with a 4.0 GPA, including the Illinois Expedition Award. Many Iowa State students also receive additional need-based aid through the Office of Student Financial Aid.