Iowa State University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Ames, IA

$8,042

Avg in-state tuition

$23,230

Avg out-of-state tuition

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About Iowa State University

School Type: Public

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Military Friendly: YesMilitary-friendly schools are Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, offer the Yellow Ribbon Program, and have a dedicated point of contact to support veterans, military service members, and their families. Explore our college guide for service members and veterans to learn more.

Iowa State University is a large public university located on an urban campus in Ames, Iowa. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 26,843, and admissions are selective, with an acceptance rate of 88%. The university offers 107 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 75%, and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $8,042, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $23,230.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a high acceptance rate.

This school accepts students at a higher rate than other schools. High acceptance schools welcome 51-100% of all applicants.

88% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

89% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

75% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Required

High school transcript Required

High school rank Considered (not required)

Letter of recommendation Not required or recommended

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Yes

Credit for qualified life experience* Implied no

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 21-28

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1010-1310

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

32k

Students enrolled

89%

Online student enrollment

18:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

73%

Non-U.S. Citizen

8%

Hispanic

6%

Unknown

4%

Asian

4%

Black

3%

Two or more races

3%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

44%

Socio-economic diversity

20% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

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Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

29

Total Online Enrollment

28,334

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

92% On-campus

8% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates X Bold Not offered

Associate X Bold Not offered

Bachelor's Check Bold 1% online

Graduate Certificate Check Bold 25% online

Master's Check Bold 13% online

Doctorate X Bold Not offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $8,042 $23,230
Graduate $9,758 $24,720

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $1,001
On-campus room and board $9,193
On-campus other expenses $2,430
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $9,193
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $2,430
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $2,430

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $20,666 $35,854
Off-campus without family $20,666 $35,854
Off-campus with family $11,473 $26,661

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

30%

State Grant Aid

1%

Institution Grant Aid

83%

Pell Grant

20%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $4,248
State Grant Aid $4,334
Institution Grant Aid $6,992
Pell Grant Aid $4,585

Financial Outlook

$23k

Average student debt after graduation

$44k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I-FBS

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Gymnastics
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming Diving
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • All Track Combined

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

2

Architecture And Related Services

BA

MA

DOC

3

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

BA

MA

DOC

4

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

5

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

6

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

7

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

8

Education

BA

MA

DOC

9

Engineering Technologies/Technicians

BA

MA

DOC

10

Engineering

BA

MA

DOC

11

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

12

Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

13

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

14

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

15

History

BA

MA

DOC

16

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

17

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

18

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

19

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA