Iowa vs. Iowa State: A Battle Beyond Sports in the 2025 Wall Street Journal College Rankings
The fierce rivalry between Iowa State University (ISU) and the University of Iowa (UI) extends far beyond the athletic arena, extending into the realm of academia and student recruitment. Recent insights from the Wall Street Journal’s 2025 rankings of the top 500 public and private universities reveal significant competition in this arena as well, with Iowa State emerging as the victor in the latest evaluation.
In the rankings, Iowa State has claimed the title of the highest-ranked institution in Iowa, securing the 119th position nationally, while the University of Iowa landed at 162nd. This distinguishes ISU not only as a leader in the state but also in various specific areas of academic performance. Drake University also exceeded UI’s ranking but remains below Iowa State on the list. Additionally, the University of Northern Iowa was notably excluded from the Journal’s rankings.
The Wall Street Journal’s methodology for determining its best colleges list is comprehensive, incorporating metrics that focus on student outcomes and institutional effectiveness. Notably, metrics like “salary impact score,” which gauges the return on investment for graduates, graduation rates, learning opportunities, preparation for careers, and scores on diversity and character development are considered. Each category receives a score between 1 and 100, allowing for an effective comparison of institutions.
When examining the scores, Iowa State outperformed the University of Iowa in several critical areas. ISU achieved an overall score of 75 compared to UI’s 70.6. Specifically, Iowa State excelled in graduation rate, learning opportunities, career preparation, learning facilities, and recommendation scores—key indicators of student success and experience. The scores for Iowa State in these categories include:
- Salary Impact Score: 79
- Graduation Rate Score: 80
- Learning Opportunities: 67
- Career Preparation: 71
- Learning Facilities: 78
- Recommendation Score: 79
- Diversity: 41
In contrast, the University of Iowa recorded stronger results in salary impact (83) and character development (81), but lagged in graduation rate (65), learning opportunities (64), preparation for career (68), learning facilities (76), and recommendation score (76). The comparative scores reflect a nuanced academic landscape where both institutions have their strengths and weaknesses.
Highlighting national trends, the Wall Street Journal also recognized top-performing institutions across the country. Princeton University topped the list with a significant score of 92.3, followed closely by Babson College at 91.9 and Stanford University at 91.6—indicating a competitive edge among elite private colleges.
As the rivalry continues to heat up, these rankings provide prospective students and stakeholders with essential insights into the educational landscape of Iowa. Whether on the basketball court or campus, the competition between Iowa State and the University of Iowa remains as vibrant as ever, but now with academic accomplishment at the forefront.
This ongoing rivalry serves as a reminder that while sports bring communities together, the pursuit of academic excellence is a key contender in shaping the future of these institutions. The Wall Street Journal’s rankings are more than just numbers; they reflect the evolving narrative of Iowa’s higher education system, underscoring the importance of choice and quality for students.
