Iowa State University

No, Iowa State is not hard to get into. It admitted about 87.9% of roughly 24,600 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 3.76, so strong grades in a college-prep schedule put you in good shape.

Out-of-state applicants get admitted at nearly the same rate as Iowa residents. In the Fall 2025 CDS data, Iowa State admitted 92.1% of in-state applicants and 91.1% of out-of-state applicants, an almost identical result. International applicants were admitted at a lower 64.9%. Geographical residence and state residency are weighed only as 'considered' factors, so coming from outside Iowa carries no meaningful admission penalty.

Iowa State reports an average admitted high school GPA of 3.76, and academic GPA plus the rigor of your course load count as very important factors. Roughly 58% 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.

Yes, a 1250 SAT sits right in the middle of Iowa State's enrolled class. The middle 50% of first-years scored 1153 to 1360 on the SAT and 21 to 28 on the ACT, so a 1250 lands just under the 1260 median and squarely in the typical range. Anything in or above that band reads as on-target for admission.

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 1153 to 1360 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.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $11,091 for Iowa residents and $30,139 for out-of-state students, with on-campus food and housing adding roughly $10,928. About 44% of first-years receive need-based aid, the average aid package sits near $16,025, and Iowa State meets about 69% of demonstrated need on average.

Engineering is the largest field at about 21% of bachelor's degrees, followed closely by business and marketing near 20%. As a land-grant university, Iowa State also confers roughly 10% of its degrees in agriculture, and computer science, the life sciences, and design fill out its strongest programs.

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.

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