Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, Iowa State became one of the nation’s first designated land-grant institutions when the Iowa Legislature accepted the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act on September 11, 1862, making Iowa the first state in the nation to do so. On July 4, 1959, the college was officially renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Iowa State is the largest university in the State of Iowa by undergraduate enrollment. The university’s academic offerings are administered through eight colleges, including the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Engineering, the Graduate College, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the College of Design, Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, and the College of Human Sciences.
Highlights
Iowa State is a vibrant and diverse university community. The university has a total enrollment of over 30,000 students, including over 20,000 undergraduate students and over 8,000 graduate students. The university’s student body is comprised of students from all 50 states and over 100 countries.
Iowa State is a great place to earn a degree and prepare for a successful career. The university offers a wide range of academic programs, strong research opportunities, and a vibrant student life.
Important Dates
| Semester | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Classes begin | August 21 |
| Fall | First half of semester ends | September 22 |
| Fall | Second half of semester ends | November 17 |
| Fall | Thanksgiving break | November 22-26 |
| Fall | Final exams | December 11-15 |
| Spring | Classes begin | January 16 |
| Spring | Spring break | March 8 |
| Spring | Midterm exams | April 26 |
| Spring | Last day of classes | May 3 |
| Spring | Final exams | May 6-10 |
| Summer | Session 1 begins | May 15 |
| Summer | Session 2 begins | June 12 |
| Summer | Session 1 ends | July 7 |
| Summer | Session 2 ends | August 4 |
Rankings
Rankings:
- U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings:
- National Universities Rank: 81
- Research Spending Rank: 47
- Engineering Schools Rank: 27
- Agricultural Schools Rank: 14
Memberships:
- Association of American Universities (AAU)
Courses
Agriculture
- Agricultural Business
- Agronomy
- Animal Science
- Horticulture
- Food Science and Technology
Engineering
- Aerospace E
- Civil Engineering
- ngineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Accounting
- Economics
- English
- History
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
Other
- Architecture
- Art and Design
- Business
- Education
- Human Sciences
- Veterinary Medicine
Fees
Tuition and Fees for 2023-2024 Academic Year:
- Iowa Resident:
- Tuition: $9,634
- Fees: $5,812
- Total: $15,446
- Non-Resident:
- Tuition: $25,446
- Fees: $5,812
- Total: $31,258
Total Cost of Attendance for 2023-2024 Academic Year:
- Iowa Resident:
- Cost of Attendance: $25,446
- Non-Resident:
- Cost of Attendance: $51,000
Admission
Admissions Policy
Iowa State University has a rolling admissions policy, which means that applications are reviewed and evaluated as they are received. There is no set deadline for applications, but students are encouraged to apply early.
Minimum Admission Requirements:
- Completed a high school diploma or equivalent
- Completed the following courses with a minimum grade of C:
- English: 4 years
- Mathematics: 3 years (including Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry)
- Science: 3 years (including Biology, Chemistry, and Physics)
- Social Studies: 3 years (including U.S. History and World History)
- Minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.0
Additional Admission Factors Considered:
Iowa State University is a competitive university, and the average GPA of admitted students is 3.6. However, students with lower GPAs may still be admitted if they have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays.
Application Process
To apply to Iowa State University, students must submit the following:
- Online application form
- Application fee
- Official high school transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores (optional)
- Letters of recommendation (optional)
- Essays (optional)
Students can find more information about the admissions process and apply to Iowa State University on the university’s website at https://www.admissions.iastate.edu/.
Tips for Increasing Chances of Admission
- Start planning early and give yourself plenty of time to complete the application process.
- Take challenging courses in high school and get good grades.
- Do well on the ACT or SAT (optional).
- Write strong essays that highlight your unique qualities and experiences.
- Get letters of recommendation from teachers or counselors who know you well.
Cut offs
Admission Recommendations:
- GRE Verbal recommendation: At least 152
- GRE Quantitative recommendation: At least 160
- TOEFL recommendation: At least 80
Average GRE Scores for Specific Programs:
- College of Medicine:
- GRE Verbal: 162
- GRE Quantitative: 167
- College of Law:
- GRE Verbal: 160
- GRE Quantitative: 165
- Tippie College of Business:
- GRE Verbal: 155
- GRE Quantitative: 163
- College of Engineering:
- GRE Verbal: 153
- GRE Quantitative: 165
Additional Admission Factors:
- Minimum GPA requirement: 2.0
- Competitive GPA: Typically 3.0 or higher
- Letters of recommendation: Three required
- Personal statement: Required to provide insights into the applicant’s motivation and interest in the University of Iowa.
Placements
Graduate Placement Rates:
- 93% of graduates from the class of 2019 found jobs or were accepted into graduate school within six months of graduation.
Placement Rates by College (Classes of 2019 and 2020):
- College of Engineering: 92%
- College of Nursing: 98%
- College of Pharmacy: 97%
- Tippie College of Business: 94%
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: 93%
Resources from the Pomerantz Career Center:
- Career counseling
- Resume and cover letter writing assistance
- Mock interviews
- Networking events
- Job postings database
Top 10 Industries with Student Placement Rates:
- Healthcare and Social Assistance
- Finance & Insurance
- Educational Services
- Information
- Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
- Marketing, Advertising and PR Scientific,
- Professional, and Technical Services
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Consulting
- Manufacturing
Some of the Companies and Agencies that Have Hired Recent Graduates:
- CNN
- Pearson
- Peace Corps
- Rockwell Collins
- ACT, Inc.
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- IBM
- John Deere
- NASA
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Motorola
- Walt Disney World
- US Bank
- Coca-Cola Enterprises
- Warner Brother Studios
Scholarships
Popular Scholarships:
- Presidential Scholarship:
This scholarship is awarded to incoming first-year students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and leadership potential. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees for four years.
- Iowa Scholars Award:
This scholarship is awarded to incoming first-year nonresident students who demonstrate outstanding academic merit and exceptional promise at the University of Iowa. The scholarship covers half tuition and fees for four years.
- National Merit Scholarship:
The University of Iowa offers National Merit Scholarships to finalists and commended students who designate Iowa as their first-choice institution. The scholarship amount varies depending on the student’s financial need.
- Pell Grant:
The Pell Grant is a federal grant that is awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need. The amount of the grant varies depending on the student’s financial need and their cost of attendance.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG):
The FSEOG is a federal grant that is awarded to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. The amount of the grant varies depending on the student’s financial need and their cost of attendance.
Additional Scholarships and Financial Aid:
In addition to these scholarships, the University of Iowa also offers a variety of departmental scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. Students are encouraged to visit the University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships and financial aid.
Tips for Finding Scholarships:
- Start your search early. The earlier you start looking for scholarships, the more time you will have to apply.
- Check the University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid website. The university’s website has a comprehensive list of available scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
- Talk to your academic advisor. Your academic advisor can help you identify scholarships that are relevant to your major and academic interests.
- Search online scholarship databases. There are a number of online scholarship databases that you can use to search for scholarships. Some popular databases include FastWeb, Scholarships.com, and CollegeBoard.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admission requirements may vary by program, but generally, applicants need to submit transcripts, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Specific requirements can be found on the University of Iowa’s admissions website.
The University of Iowa offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. You can explore the full list of programs on the university’s academic website.
Information about financial aid and scholarship applications can be found on the University of Iowa’s Office of Student Financial Aid website.
