Iowa State University
Iowa State University is a public land-grant research university in Ames, founded in 1858 and known for engineering, agriculture, design, and veterinary medicine. Admission stays accessible for a flagship: Iowa State admits about 89% of roughly 23,000 applicants and enrolls around 5,900 first-years who carry an average high school GPA of 3.75. Engineering leads the degrees awarded at about 20%, followed closely by business and the university's signature agriculture programs. Iowa State holds a strong 88% first-year retention rate, and its low in-state tuition and reasonable out-of-state price make it one of the more affordable Big 12 research universities.
See how Iowa State compares
Pick up to two rivals — or search any school.
Iowa State admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Iowa State does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Iowa State is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Admissions Factors
How Iowa State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Iowa State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $18,094 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Writing your Iowa State application essay?
Esslo gives you line-by-line feedback on your Common App and supplemental essays — so your application stands out at Iowa State and beyond.
Frequently asked questions about Iowa State admissions
Is it hard to get into Iowa State?＋
No, Iowa State is not hard to get into. It admitted about 88.7% of roughly 23,000 applicants in the most recent cycle, which makes it lightly selective. Admission leans on your high school GPA and the rigor of your courses, with an average admitted GPA of 3.75, so strong grades in a college-prep schedule put you in good shape.
What are my chances of getting into Iowa State from out of state?＋
Out-of-state applicants get admitted at nearly the same rate as Iowa residents. In the Fall 2024 CDS data, Iowa State admitted 93.4% of in-state applicants and 91.5% of out-of-state applicants, an almost identical result. International applicants were admitted at a lower 68.4%. Geographical residence and state residency are weighed only as 'considered' factors, so coming from outside Iowa carries no meaningful admission penalty.
What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State?＋
Iowa State reports an average admitted high school GPA of 3.75, and academic GPA plus the rigor of your course load count as very important factors. Roughly 59% of enrolled first-years carried a 3.75 or higher and 31% had a perfect 4.0, so a GPA in the mid-3s with solid core coursework makes you a competitive applicant.
Is a 1250 SAT good enough for Iowa State?＋
Yes, a 1250 SAT lands right at the middle of Iowa State's enrolled class. The middle 50% of first-years scored 1130 to 1350 on the SAT and 21 to 28 on the ACT, so a 1250 sits at the median. Anything in or above that band reads as on-target for admission.
Is Iowa State test-optional?＋
Yes, Iowa State is test-optional, so U.S. first-year applicants can apply without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Among enrolled first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1130 to 1350 on the SAT and 21 to 28 on the ACT. If you skip testing, admission rests on your high school GPA and core courses, which the university already weighs as very important.
How much does Iowa State cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $10,787 for Iowa residents and $28,881 for out-of-state students, with on-campus food and housing adding roughly $10,808. About 47% of first-years receive need-based aid, the average aid package sits near $15,798, and Iowa State meets about 80% of demonstrated need on average.
What are the most popular majors at Iowa State?＋
Engineering is the largest field at about 20% of bachelor's degrees, followed by business and marketing near 18%. As a land-grant university, Iowa State also confers roughly 11% of its degrees in agriculture, and computer science, the life sciences, and design fill out its strongest programs.
Does the application essay matter at Iowa State?＋
The essay plays a supporting role at Iowa State, rated as a 'considered' factor rather than a deciding one. Admission turns mostly on your GPA, course rigor, and test scores if submitted. A clear, specific essay still helps you add context to your record and is worth writing well, especially for scholarships and competitive programs.
Source: Iowa State University Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Iowa State. Banner photo by Dirk DBQ, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).