#540 in the world · QS 2027

Iowa State University of Science and Technology

Iowa's land-grant science and technology university, with formula-based admission and the first digital computer.

Ames, Iowa, United States Public land-grant research university Founded 1858 Official website

See my chances at Iowa State Admissions office

Acceptance rate: 88%; Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26); applying now for fall 2027
Students: 31,105; 26,346 undergraduates
International: 4%; of students
Student–faculty: 19:1; ratio
Tuition: $33,548; 2026-27

About Iowa State

Iowa State was established on March 22, 1858, as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, and became one of the first designated land-grant institutions when Iowa accepted the Morrill Act in 1862; it took its current name, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, in 1959. In fall 2025 it enrolled 31,105 students: 26,346 undergraduates and 4,759 graduate and professional students on a large campus in Ames.

Teaching is organised in colleges including Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Design, the Ivy College of Business, Health and Human Sciences, and Veterinary Medicine, offering more than 100 undergraduate majors. Iowa State is where John Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry built the Atanasoff-Berry Computer in 1937-42, a federal court later recognised as the first electronic digital computer, and the university is affiliated with the Ames National Laboratory.

Admission is formula-driven and inclusive: Iowa State admitted 21,652 of 24,625 first-year applicants for fall 2025, and applicants with a Regent Admission Index of 245 or more who meet the course requirements are admitted automatically. It suits students aiming for engineering, agriculture, design, veterinary or applied science careers who want a large, affordable campus and Big 12 athletics.

Science with Practice

University motto

Why students choose Iowa State

Admission is transparent: a Regent Admission Index (RAI) of 245 or more plus the required high school courses guarantees an offer, and decisions arrive on a rolling basis.

Iowa residents pay $11,402 in tuition and fees for 2026-27, and non-residents $31,450, below many peer flagships.

The Atanasoff-Berry Computer was built here, and Iowa State hosts the Ames National Laboratory, giving science and engineering students research depth.

With 800 student organizations, 20 residence halls and Big 12 athletics, campus life in Ames is busy.

Admissions

Fall 2025 entering class (Common Data Set 2025-26); applying now for fall 2027

21,652 admitted from 24,625 applicants

SAT 1153–1360

1000120014001600

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

ACT 21–28

2024283236

Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.

For fall 2025, 21,652 of 24,625 first-year applicants were admitted and 6,160 enrolled (in-state 5,452 of 5,921 admitted; out-of-state 14,133 of 15,521; international 2,067 of 3,183). Iowa State does not admit by major.

Testing Test-optional for first-year applicants: you may self-report ACT, SAT or CLT scores. Without a score, admission is based on high school GPA and completion of the core courses. SAT and ACT are not required for applicants educated abroad.

Grades Average high school GPA of enrolled fall 2025 first-years was 3.76; 30.9% had a 4.0. Only 12% submitted SAT scores and 45% submitted ACT scores. The CDS rates rigor of the secondary school record and academic GPA as very important and test scores as important.

Typical entry requirements

Regent Admission Index (RAI)	RAI = (ACT composite x 3) + (GPA x 30) + (years of core courses x 5); 245 or more with the required courses means automatic admission, below 245 means individual review
Minimum high school courses	English 4 years, mathematics 3 (algebra, geometry, advanced algebra), science 3 (at least two in biology, chemistry or physics), social studies 2
Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences	Engineering also requires two years of a single world language; Liberal Arts and Sciences requires a third year of social studies and two years of one world language
English language	IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 71 TOEFL iBT 71 with 17 or above in Speaking and Writing (4.0 with no band below 3.5 on the scale used from 21 January 2026); IELTS 6.0 with all bands 5.5 or above; Duolingo 105; PTE 48. SAT EBRW 460 or ACT English 19 also satisfy the requirement.

Deadlines

International merit scholarship priority deadline (fall) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~4 months

February 15, 2027

For international first-year applicants; Award of Achievement (up to $40,000) and Award of Distinction (up to $16,000) via the OneApp portal. Final deadline May 1.
Reply deadline for admitted students Non-binding In ~7 months

May 1, 2027

Admitted students reply by May 1 or within weeks if admitted later; also the final international merit scholarship deadline.

Iowa State uses rolling admission with no application closing date, no Early Decision and no Early Action; decisions are sent on a rolling basis starting about two days after the application is complete. International students should apply at least six to eight weeks before the term (up to a year in advance). Domestic merit awards for fall 2027 are automatic on admission. The February 15 and May 1 dates are published by Iowa State as recurring fall-term dates without a year and are applied here to the fall 2027 intake.

How to apply

Iowa State's own application (Admissions MyAccount) or the Common App, choosing an intended major; self-reported GPA and courses (admission is contingent on the final official transcript); optional ACT, SAT or CLT. International applicants upload academic records, a financial statement and passport, pay a $65 fee, and need no essays or recommendations.

What admissions looks for

Academic GPA and rigor of the high school record, both rated very important in the Common Data Set.
Completion of the minimum core courses, with extra world language and social studies for Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences.
An RAI of at least 245; standardized test scores are important but optional.
For international applicants, academic records and test scores only: Iowa State does not require essays, recommendations or merit certificates.

Tips for applying to Iowa State

1 Calculate your RAI before applying: at 245 or above with the required courses, admission is automatic.
2 Only send an ACT or SAT if it helps your RAI; without scores, admission is based on GPA and core courses.
3 Report your GPA exactly as your school does, rounded to the hundredth; use Iowa State's GPA calculator if your school doesn't use a 4-point scale.
4 If you want Engineering or Liberal Arts and Sciences, make sure you have two years of a single world language.
5 International students should file the OneApp merit scholarship application by February 15 for priority consideration.

What are your chances?

Costs & financial aid

2026-27 · figures in USD

Iowa residents: tuition $9,816 plus mandatory fees $1,586 (some colleges charge higher tuition from sophomore year) Tuition $11,402

+ on-campus housing and food, 2026-27 $11,162 ≈ $22,564 per year

International students: tuition $31,962 plus fees $1,586 (US non-residents: $29,864 plus $1,586 = $31,450); required ISU student health insurance is extra Tuition $33,548

+ on-campus housing and food, 2026-27 $11,162 ≈ $44,710 per year

Tuition On-campus housing and food, 2026-27

Official cost of attendance $26,264

Financial aid

Admitted domestic first-years are considered automatically for Office of Admissions merit awards (amounts vary by state), and Iowa residents named National Merit Scholars receive full tuition for four years. International first-years can compete for the Award of Achievement (up to $40,000 over four years) and Award of Distinction (up to $16,000) through OneApp. On average Iowa State met 68.6% of need for first-year aid recipients in 2024-25.

$26,264 Iowa resident; $46,762 non-resident; $50,960 international (before health insurance)
Cost of attendance 2026-27, on campus, dependent student: 68.6%
Average need met, first-year aid recipients (2024-25): $16,025
Average first-year financial aid package (2024-25): $63,386
Median earnings 10 years after entry (College Scorecard)

Academics

Academic calendar: Semesters

Engineering

The college where the Atanasoff-Berry Computer was built; direct entry requires two years of one world language on top of the core courses.

Agriculture and Life Sciences

Rooted in Iowa State's founding as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm and its early land-grant designation.

Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

One of the university's professional colleges, with its own cost-of-attendance budget and admissions.

College of Design

Architecture, design and art programs within a science and technology university.

Ivy College of Business

Business majors in a university named among Princeton Review's top 10 undergraduate entrepreneurship schools, per Iowa State.

Research

John Atanasoff and Clifford Berry built the Atanasoff-Berry Computer at Iowa State in 1937-42; a 1973 federal ruling named Atanasoff the inventor of the electronic digital computer.
Affiliated with the Ames National Laboratory, the Biorenewables Research Laboratory and the Plant Sciences Institute.
Classified R1 (very high research activity).

Schools & faculties

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
College of Engineering
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
College of Design
Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business
College of Health and Human Sciences
College of Veterinary Medicine
Graduate College

Graduation rate

77%

First-year students who return

89%

College Scorecard reports median earnings of $63,386 for Iowa State students 10 years after entry.

Student life

Iowa State's central campus is built around the Campanile, erected in 1897-98 and celebrated in the alma mater The Bells of Iowa State, and Lake LaVerne, home to the university's mute swans. The university operates 20 on-campus residence halls, including Friley Hall, one of the largest residence halls in the country. There are about 800 student organizations, and the Cyclones compete in the Big 12, with football at Jack Trice Stadium, named for the school's first African-American athlete.

The Campanile is the university's best-known symbol, featured on the official ring and mace.
About 800 student organizations.
Iowa State Cyclones compete in NCAA Division I in the Big 12 Conference.
Reiman Gardens, a 14-acre garden with an indoor butterfly wing, sits just south of Jack Trice Stadium on campus.

Housing. Iowa State operates 20 on-campus residence halls in areas such as Richardson Court and the Towers; on-campus housing and food is budgeted at $11,162 for 2026-27.

Location

Ames is a college town in central Iowa where the university is the dominant presence, and campus landmarks such as the Campanile, Lake LaVerne and Reiman Gardens are part of daily life. Living costs are low by national standards: Iowa State budgets $11,162 a year for on-campus housing and food and $9,960 for dependent students living off campus.

Nearest airport: Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

Notable alumni

GW
George Washington Carver

Agricultural scientist and inventor; Iowa State's first Black student (bachelor's and master's)
CC
Carrie Chapman Catt

Women's suffrage leader who campaigned for the 19th Amendment; BS 1880
HA
Henry A. Wallace

33rd Vice President of the United States; graduated 1910
CB
Clifford Berry

Co-creator of the Atanasoff-Berry Computer; BS in electrical engineering
CS
Cael Sanderson

Olympic champion wrestler, undefeated 159-0 four-time NCAA champion at Iowa State
FH
Fred Hoiberg

NBA player and college basketball coach; played for and later coached Iowa State

Frequently asked questions

Is Iowa State test-optional?

Yes. First-year applicants may choose whether to report ACT, SAT or CLT scores; without them, admission is based on GPA and core courses. In fall 2025 the middle 50% of submitters scored 1153-1360 on the SAT and 21-28 on the ACT.

What is the Regent Admission Index?

It is Iowa's admission formula: ACT composite x 3, plus GPA x 30, plus years of core courses x 5. A score of 245 or more with the required courses means automatic admission to Iowa State.

What is Iowa State's acceptance rate?

For fall 2025, 21,652 of 24,625 first-year applicants were admitted, about 88%.

Does Iowa State have an application deadline?

No fixed closing date for first-years: Iowa State reviews applications on a rolling basis and sends decisions shortly after an application is complete. International applicants should apply six to eight weeks before the term, and by February 15 for priority merit scholarship consideration.

How much does Iowa State cost for international students?

For 2026-27, international tuition and fees are $33,548, and Iowa State's full on-campus budget is about $50,960, plus the required ISU student health insurance.

Sources & methodology

Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.