I met my wife in the ISUCF'V'MB (marching band for those unaware). While I can't say that there are a plethora of hot girls in band, there are some, and I nabbed myself one in my last semester on campus. (Thank goodness!) Getting drunk at a band party (or any party for that matter) is a really good ice breaker. Get yourself some liquid confidence and go for it. Ha!
My point is that joining a socioal group, like a Frat, or band, or a club, will usually help a lot on the female perspective. It seems like girls usually like to get involved in extra-curricular activities (more so than guys), so the ratio is much better than in your engineering class. Also, you automatically have something in common with girls in your group. I also met some decent female prospects while in the dorms when my floor hosted a social event and invited female floors. Get involved and put yourself out there.
While I was single at ISU I had my share of dry spells and relationships (good and bad). I don't think the 60/40 ratio helps a lot, but it is not crippling. I ran into a lot of situations where girls were "in relationships" with guys from back home too. That was never fun. Unfortunately, of the 40% of girls at ISU, there is a much lower percentage that are single, that you find attractive, that find you attractive, and that you are compatible with. The ratio doesn't help with that.