Iowa State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Ames, Iowa · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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Iowa State University is a public university in Ames, Iowa that admits about 89% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $18,589 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Mechanical Engineering and Marketing, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 75% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.4 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa. For the most recent reporting cycle, Iowa State University admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 89%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1250 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,589 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for Iowa State University?
59% of enrolled students at Iowa State University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.75, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does Iowa State University weight in admissions?
Iowa State University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Standardized test scores
SAT and ACT scores Iowa State University typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–690, with an EBRW midpoint near 595. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1130 |
| 50th percentile | 1250 |
| 75th percentile | 1350 |
| % submitting SAT | 13% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 24 |
| 75th percentile | 28 |
| % submitting ACT | 46% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
How much does Iowa State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,787 for in-state students and $28,881 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $10,808 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $18,589 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 19% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $9,252 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $27,346 |
| Room and board | $10,808 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $18,589 |
| Application fee | $40 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for Iowa State University
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from Iowa State University?
These predict outcomes at Iowa State University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at Iowa State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at Iowa State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Mechanical Engineering and Marketing. Across all programs, Iowa State University confers roughly 2,323 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $78,149 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 418 | $78,149 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 406 | $88,697 |
| Marketing | 300 | $68,459 |
| Computer Engineering | 295 | $111,313 |
| Animal Sciences | 241 | $55,971 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 225 | $75,665 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 221 | $55,046 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 217 | $61,453 |
Is Iowa State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), Iowa State University disclosed 61 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.4 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 23 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at Iowa State University?
About 31% of undergraduates at Iowa State University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 17% of men join a fraternity and 18% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Iowa parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
Next steps for Iowa State University
Common questions parents ask about Iowa State University
What GPA do I need for Iowa State University?
59% of enrolled students at Iowa State University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.75, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does Iowa State University typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 560–690, with an EBRW midpoint near 595. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–28.
How much does Iowa State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Iowa State University after grants and scholarships is $18,589 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $10,787 and $28,881 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is Iowa State University realistic for my child?
Iowa State University admits 89% of applicants, so 560–690 SAT Math is target range and below 560 is a reach. Then check the $18,589 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at Iowa State University?
Iowa State University accepts about 89% of applicants out of roughly 23,095 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is Iowa State University test-optional?
Yes. Iowa State University is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at Iowa State University?
About 75% of students at Iowa State University graduate within six years. 88% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does Iowa State University look for in applicants?
Iowa State University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is Iowa State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa.
What are the most popular majors at Iowa State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at Iowa State University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Mechanical Engineering and Marketing. The school awards about 2,323 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is Iowa State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
Iowa State University reported 61 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.4 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at Iowa State University?
At Iowa State University, 31% of undergraduates live on campus, 17% of men are in fraternities, 18% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by Iowa State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers