Overview
Iowa State University is a public, land-grant university located in Ames, IA. The 1,813-acre campus features 6 undergraduate colleges offering 100+ majors, as well as residence hall, apartment-style, and Greek-life housing options for more than 35,000 students. As a Tier 1 research university, ISU offers undergraduate research opportunities and is home to a handful of collaborative research centers, which include The Ames Laboratory and the NSF Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals. On top of the 900+ student organizations, Iowa State boasts 16 Division 1 athletic teams that compete in the Big 12 Conference and encourage a loyal Cyclone fan base.
Acceptance Rate:
90%
Average Net Price:
$16,105
Campus Setting:
Small city
Average GPA
3.7
Average ACT Composite
25
Average SAT Composite
1220
Virtual Tour
Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability & Cost
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $10,497 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state’s or institution’s residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $27,683 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $9,726 |
| Books and Supplies | $1091 |
Average Net Price By Family Income
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
78%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
19%
Average Aid Per Year
$11,043
19%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,556
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$9,377
Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
1%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4376
43%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,556
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$117,626,968
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$68,108,386
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
47%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$7,620
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,500
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$216
Students receiving federal loans
46%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,166
Average Other Loans Per Year
$11,787
Admissions
Key Admissions Stats
Institution Type
Public
- Not for Profit
- Coed
Need Blind
This school does not consider an applicant’s financial situation when deciding admission
Level of Institution
4 Year
Campus Setting
Small city
21919
Students Applied
81%
Transfer Acceptance Rate
1314
Transfer Students Admitted
Admissions Requirements
SAT
No
ACT
No
Transcript
Yes
Test Optional
Yes
SAT Subject Tests
Yes
AP Course Credit
Yes
Dual Enrollment
Yes
Important Deadlines
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Reply Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Regular Decision | March 1 | August 24 |
Rolling Admissions
The college has rolling admissions, which means applications are accepted any time throughout the year.
Application Fee
$40
Fee waivers availableApplications Accepted
Admitted Student Stats
57%
Submitting ACT
19%
Submitting SAT
Average ACT Composite: 25
Average SAT Composite: 1220
SAT Percentiles
Math
Reading
3.7
Average GPA
Students Enrolled By GPA
Students Enrolled By Class Rank
Students Enrolled By Household Income
Admissions Resources
For International Student Services: visit page
For Students with Disabilities: visit page
For Veteran Services: visit page
Academics
Key Academic Stats
Highest Degree Offered
Doctorate
Total Number of Students
29,969
Total Number of Undergrads
25,241
0
100
50%
Graduate in 4 Years US National: 28%
0
100
75%
Graduate in 6 Years US National: 52%
Student:Faculty Ratio
18:1
US National: 21:1Non Traditional Learning
- Online Classes
- Online Undergrad Degrees
- Summer Sessions
- Combined Institution Double Degree Programs
- Some Programs Requires Co-Op/Internship
Learning Options
- ROTC Army
- ROTC Air Force
- Study Abroad
- Honors Program
- Teacher Certification Offered
Classroom Sizes
Degrees and Majors
MAJORS
172
Faculty Overview
0
100
88%
Faculty With Terminal Degree US National: 36%
Gender
Ethnicity
Campus Life
Key Campus Stats
Student Gender
Residency
Size of Town
Small city
US States Represented
54
Countries Represented
86
Ethnicity
Percent of First Generation Students
20%
Student Organizations
831
LGBTQIA Student Resource Groups
Yes
On Campus Women's Center
Yes
Cultural Student Resource Groups
Yes
Housing
0
100
35%
Undergrads Living on Campus
On-campus living required of freshman
No
Disability Housing Available
Yes
0
100
31%
Freshman Living on Campus
Athletics
Divisional Sports Nickname
Cyclones
School Colors
cardinal and gold
Varsity Athletics Association
NCAA
Varsity Athletics Conference Primary
Big Twelve Conference
Total Male Athletes
249
Total Female Athletes
194
Intramural Sports
13
Sports Club
31
Sports Team (Men)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Track and Field
- Wrestling
Sports Team (Women)
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Iowa State University Athletics: visit page
Campus Safety
24-HR security patrol
Yes
Campus emergency phones
Yes
24-HR escort safety rides
Yes
Mobile campus emergency alert
Yes
After Graduation
Post Grad Stats
Average Salary
6 years after graduation
$56,000
Top 5 Cities
Des Moines
Minneapolis
Chicago
Omaha
Denver
Top 5 Employers
Iowa State University
John Deere
Wells Fargo
Rockwell Collins
Principal Financial Group
Top 5 Sectors
Business Development
Engineering
Operations
Education
Sales
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,500
Loan Default Rate
4%
National: 8%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$216
REVIEWS
Read What Students Are SayingThe learning environment at Iowa State is unlike anything else, there's no doubt in my mind that it has been a challenge, but the school offers many resources for any student who is willing to seek them out. the collegiate learning experience demands a lot from it's students but at Iowa State they offer tutors, help sessions, study tips, workshops for writing, and most teachers and/or teaching assistants offer one on one help so no matter what you're having trouble with, you'll be able to find someone that can help. furthermore there is no doubt in my mind that I will walk away from Iowa State a more intelligent and competent person and I know that I will be fully equipped with whatever I may need to face the challenges of my selected field.
Jennifer from Shoreview, MN
You learn a lot in college, but at Iowa State you can learn anything you could imagine. The professors are true experts in their fields, and do an excellent job teaching. The living experience at ISU leads to a lot of great insights too, especially if you're living in Friley or Helser Halls.
Nick from River Falls, WI
Only into my first semester at Iowa State University, I already feel like I have learned a substantial amount of useful material. I also find myself enjoying the course material exponentially more than I did in high school. The professors work really hard to make their lectures interesting, as well as, interactive in the hopes that students will better retain course material. For the harder courses like general chemistry, they even set up help sessions and Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions in an effort to help students succeed in their class.
Kalynn from Davenport, IA
There are some classes I have taken that I have looked back on and wondered what the heck I learned. But, for the most part, the courses are challenging and apply to real life scenarios. The teachers here are wonderful people who are always happy to help out a struggling student.
Hannah from Ames, IA
Iowa State has a beautiful campus during all seasons. The professors are all super helpful and encouraging. There is always something to do on campus.
Emily from Maplewood, MN
Iowa State is a large university with the small college feel. It has many students but everywhere I go, I see people I know, and that are in my classes. Everyone is very nice and the professors know what they are teaching.
Grace from Vermont
The professors here at Iowa State are very qualified to teach their expertise. You learn so much from class to class that you can apply to real life very easily and start using right away.
Nathan from Stewartville, MN
The college that no really knows what to expects but falls completely in love with. Iowa State offers a wide array of majors and minors along with some of the kindest professors teaching those classes. Without a doubt my home away from home in my opinion.
Monica from Naperville, IL
Iowa State is probably the best decision I could have made. It's an amazing school for engineering and agriculture. As well as it's in an extremely friendly town and it has a beautiful campus. N
Student from Saint Louis,MO
So far the Professors I've had have really made sure the students understand the subjects and offer many review session apart from class if you're still lost. The campus is easy to get around and everyone is really friendly. There are a few classrooms that need renovating but either wise its a pretty good university.
Itzel from Fresno, CA
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