Iowa State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Iowa State University is a public research university in Ames, Iowa, enrolling about 25,367 students. Admission is moderately selective for first-time degree-seeking undergraduates reporting admissions data to the Education Department. The acceptance rate is about 88.66% in the latest College Scorecard admissions data. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $63,386 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $10,787
- 2024 Average Net Price: $18,589 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 88.66% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 25,367 96.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 75.32%
- Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
- First-Generation Students: 19.9%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 3.6% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 17.2% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 84.3%
- Average SAT Score: 1204
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,843
- Applicants (IPEDS): 22,995
- Room & Board: $10,808 annual estimate
Iowa State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Iowa State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Iowa State University?
Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA (ZIP 50011-2103).
NCES locale classification: Town.
Is Iowa State University public or private?
Iowa State University is a Public institution.
How much does Iowa State University cost?
Published tuition: $10,787 in-state, $28,881 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $18,589.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $10,582 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $11,506 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $15,463 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $19,605 |
| $110,001+ | $22,496 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $43,148.
How hard is it to get into Iowa State University?
Admission rate: 88.66%.
Among enrollees who submitted scores: average SAT 1204 and midpoint ACT 25.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Iowa State University?
Total enrollment: 25,367 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 26,843 students.
Graduate enrollment: 4,752 students.
About 96% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Iowa State University?
150%-time completion rate: 75.32%.
First-year retention: 87.6%.
What do graduates of Iowa State University earn?
Median earnings: $53,873 six years after entry; $63,386 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $22,869.
18.77% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Iowa State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Mechanical Engineering (369 completions)
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General (270 completions)
- Information Technology (249 completions)
- Finance, General (244 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (240 completions)
- Psychology, General (234 completions)
- Animal Sciences, General (229 completions)
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General (192 completions)
- Computer Science (188 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (177 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Iowa State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show admission rate 88.66%; completion rate 75.32%; median earnings $63,386 at 10 years; net price $18,589. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$10,787
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Iowa State University was $10,787.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$18,589
2024 Value
In 2024 Iowa State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $18,589.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$74,356 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$18,589 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$43,148 4-Year In-State Tuition
$115,524 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$10,808 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$700 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$22,295 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$89,180 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Iowa State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
18.77% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
43.34% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Iowa State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Iowa State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,726 | $20,278 | $14,336 |
| 2014 | $7,731 | $20,617 | $14,100 |
| 2015 | $7,736 | $20,856 | $13,997 |
| 2016 | $8,219 | $21,583 | $13,947 |
| 2017 | $8,636 | $22,472 | $14,331 |
| 2018 | $8,988 | $23,392 | $15,140 |
| 2019 | $9,320 | $24,508 | $15,496 |
| 2020 | $9,316 | $24,504 | $16,002 |
| 2021 | $9,634 | $25,446 | $15,351 |
| 2022 | $10,133 | $26,617 | $15,494 |
| 2023 | $10,497 | $27,683 | $18,165 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
88.66% Acceptance Rate
22,995 Total Applicants
20,496 Students Admitted
5,859 First-Time Students Enrolled
28.59% Yield (enrolled ÷ admitted)
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
SAT Average: 1204
ACT Average: 25
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
Estimated GPA Range: 3.3 - 3.5
Estimated Median GPA: 3.40
Note: GPA requirements are estimated based on admission selectivity and test scores. Actual requirements may vary.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Iowa State University reported total enrollment of about 25,367 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 55% male and 45% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (74.9%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%), and Race/ethnicity unknown (4.3%). About 18.77% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 19.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
96.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Iowa State University in 2024 is 25,367 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 26,843 students. Graduate enrollment is about 4,752 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
87.6%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 74.9%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
56.69% 100% Completion Time
75.32% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 56.69% of students graduating from Iowa State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Mechanical Engineering: 86% male / 14% female
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 53% male / 47% female
- Information Technology: 70% male / 30% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Iowa State University.
Return on Investment
$22,869 Median Student Debt
$63,386 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
36.08% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
752.47% Return on Investment
3.6 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Iowa State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 170 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Mechanical Engineering: 369 completions
2. Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 270 completions
3. Information Technology: 249 completions
4. Finance, General: 244 completions
5. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 240 completions
6. Psychology, General: 234 completions
7. Animal Sciences, General: 229 completions
8. Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General: 192 completions
9. Computer Science: 188 completions
Most popular programs at Iowa State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Iowa State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Iowa State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 84.3%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $12,702
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $12,347
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, IA, classified as Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Mechanical Engineering, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, Information Technology. Enrollment is approximately 25,367 students. Student body composition includes White (74.9%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%), Race/ethnicity unknown (4.3%). The admission rate is 88.66%. Average SAT scores for admitted students are 1204. The 150%-time completion rate is 75.32%. Approximately 18.77% of students receive Pell Grants. About 19.9% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity
Location
Ames, IA 50011-2103
Region: Plains
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 170 distinct degree programs, Iowa State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Iowa State University located?
Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA.
What is Iowa State University's acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate at Iowa State University is 88.7% among first-time degree-seeking students reporting admissions data. IPEDS reports 22,995 applicants and 20,496 admits in the latest admissions cycle in our extract.
How much does Iowa State University cost?
Reported tuition is $10,787 and average net price is $18,589 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $10,808 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Iowa State University?
Iowa State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 26,843 students, White (74.9%), Hispanic or Latino (7.0%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Iowa State University?
About 19.9% of students at Iowa State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Iowa State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Iowa State University reports midpoint SAT about 1204 and midpoint ACT about 25.
What do graduates of Iowa State University earn?
Median earnings are $53,873 six years after entry and $63,386 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Iowa State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 75.3% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Iowa State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $22,869.
Is Iowa State University public or private?
Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, IA.
Is Iowa State University an HBCU?
No. Iowa State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Iowa State University a tribal college?
No. Iowa State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Iowa college profile
- Iowa college costs
- Iowa colleges by ROI
- Iowa State University vs University of Iowa vs University of Northern Iowa
- Ames, Iowa city profile
- Plains regional profile
- Town college profile
- Campus-setting profiles
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Iowa
- Iowa college costs
- Iowa colleges by ROI
- Iowa State University vs University of Iowa vs University of Northern Iowa
- Plains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Iowa
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.