About Iowa State University

Founded in 1858, Iowa State University. is a Public college. Located in Iowa, which is a city setting in Iowa, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 30,671 full time undergraduate students, and 5,679 full time graduate students.

The Iowa State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 19:1. There are 1560 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at Iowa State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate87%
Application Deadline
Application Fee40
SAT Range980-1270
ACT Range22-28

Admissions at ISU are considered Less Selective, with ,373% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 33 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

90% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 56% were in the top quarter, and 26% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at Iowa State University.

1%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
7%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
24%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
16%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
47%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
47%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
34%
“We bought the gear”
56%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
23%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
14%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
70%
“They keep regular office hours”
18%
“They”re always available”
1%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
10%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
73%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
15%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
15%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
58%
“We only party on weekends”
26%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
65%
“There might be people who do”
25%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
1%
“We”re apathetic”
29%
“We know about current events and vote”
63%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
7%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
4%
“We save it for the classroom”
24%
“Sometimes, but not often”
56%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
16%
“All the time, including weekends”
1%
“I”m always terrified”
5%
“I only go out in groups”
47%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
47%
“I feel extremely safe”
10%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
34%
“We bought the gear”
56%
“We live for the big game”
5%
“It”s not really our thing”
23%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
58%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
14%
“We”re a very artistic group”
3%
“Haven”t met them”
9%
“Available in class”
70%
“They keep regular office hours”
18%
“They”re always available”
1%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
10%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
73%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
15%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
1%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
15%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
58%
“We only party on weekends”
26%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
9%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
65%
“There might be people who do”
25%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
2%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    628 Students rated on-campus housing 3.8 stars. 18 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    456 Students rated off-campus housing 3.8 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    661 Students rated campus food 4 stars. 32 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    676 Students rated campus facilities 4.3 stars. 46 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    675 Students rated class size 3.9 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    674 Students rated school activities 4.4 stars. 55 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    677 Students rated local services 4.2 stars. 47 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    675 Students rated academics 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

Iowa State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of Iowa State University?

186 Students rated Iowa State University

Cade - 11/25/2024

The worst part of the University is the city it's located in. Aside from that, Iowa State is a pretty good college to attend for people of many backgrounds. The college experience is definitely present at Iowa State, and many people are here for it. Iowa State is definitely a choice list-topper.

Gavin - 05/02/2024

Iowa state university is the perfect place for me to pursue my post secondary education. The environment on campus is rustic and comforting with large open areas. This scene is perfect for my calm personality. The dining halls have plenty of delicious dishes and are all you can eat. The facilities at Iowa state such as the gym are high quality and offer lots of opportunities. I enjoy working out and playing sports so this is an extremely attractive feature for me. Lastly, Iowa state is known for their engineering college and I believe that I will get a quality education attending Iowa state because of this.

Erin - 03/26/2024

I chose Iowa State University because of the excellent animal science program, and the people here are very welcoming. I always feel safe and feel like I fit in. I have found friends and love it here. There is always something to get involved with, and they always encourage students to get involved and challenge themselves. It is a great school and atmosphere.

Camryn - 12/27/2023

In my opinion Iowa State University, has a very supportive community and is located in a town that does not have many distractions which allows for students to focus on their educational goals. Additionally, the professors offer help through office hours or TA's and are generally good with replying back to students emails. However, the campus could work on more engaging events, things that students will actually want to do. Especially during homecoming.

Iowa State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at Iowa State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for Iowa State University is 87%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would tell myself to not skip class all the time and to trust that going to Iowa State is the right idea. I would also tell myself that making new friends in college is easy and that living in an all girls, non air conditioned dorm is not that bad and it makes for so many fun memories and stories to tell about really "roughing it" my first few weeks at college. I also would say something about how expensive the bookstore is and to check online for books before spending hundreds more on books than I needed to first semester. I also did not have a major picked coming into college so I would say that it would be important to remember that being undecided the first semester is okay and it saved me from pursuing a major in something I wasn't passionate about.

    Read all 1170 answers

  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are very outgoing, sociable, and easy to get along with.

    Read all 340 answers

  4. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    It just felt right; Iowa State just gives me the feeling that it is home, even though there are over 30,000 students

    Read all 250 answers

  5. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    Iowa State is an acedemically focused college of science with one of the most beautiful campuss in the world.

    Read all 202 answers

  6. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    ...i can't think of anything that's 'bad' per say.

    Read all 197 answers

  7. What kind of person should attend this school?

    A person who is smart, hard working, open minded, and willing to learn and discuss their thoughts and opinions on the material being learned.

    Read all 188 answers

  8. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    How to balance everything out

    Read all 187 answers

  9. What's unique about your campus?

    I think the best thing about Iowa State University is the access to people and acedemic/personal help being avaliable.

    Read all 182 answers

  10. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Anyone can attend this school. It is geared for the masses and welcomes all.

    Read all 177 answers

  11. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating aspect about Iowa State Univeristy is summer classes. Most of them do not fill up to the desired about they wish, so the University ends up dropping them for the summer. I enjoy taking summer classes to lighten my course load for semester, but when something like this happens in the summer it tends to mess up my schedule for the Fall or Spring.

    Read all 161 answers

  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I usually brag about the opportunities that I have taken advantage of here at Iowa State University. Being paired with a graduate school, this university can offer so many more career-oriented activities than most colleges. I am currently volunteering at the College of Veterinary Medicine here at Iowa State University in preparation for becoming a veterinarian myself, and that is something that my friends cannot do.

    Read all 160 answers

  13. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Iowa State has a beautiful campus. The layout of it is great because for my major most of my classes are in the same building. It doesn't exclude me from meeting people in other majors though as all of the building are near each other. Iowa State is just the right size for me. As you get older you become really close to those in your major. Iowa State has a lot of unique traditions, the most well known being VEISHEA, and comes with a lot of history behind it's name. I will always remember how well I was treated as a student. I was never treated as a number within this college and that is something that makes learning more enjoyable.

    Read all 132 answers

  14. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    It's best known for their engineering program/career fair and I like to say their marching band.

    Read all 125 answers

  15. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    we are a big party school

    Read all 124 answers

  16. What are the academics like at your school?

    All of my professors know my name, first and last. My favorite classes are my upper level classes as they are smaller and geared more towards what I am passionate about. Students on campus study all of the time. The library is a popular place to go, but there are always plenty of seats for any type of study environment you'd like. Participation in class in essential. Lots of students participate and those who do are more likely to succeed in the class. In my major we work together on assignments when we are able to and help each other along when one gets stuck. There is in no way any sort of competition involved. I love my elementary education major because there is a lab designed just for us with all sorts of equipment we may need for projects. We also have our own little library and check-out system for technology. I have definitely went to my professors office hours. I went not only to ask about assignments but sometimes just to talk to them. I did have a teacher that made our whole class supper at her house while we were in our practicum experience. I thought this was awesome! I never would have thought that in a school as large as Iowa State that teachers would actually care for you and invite you into their homes just to meet up during a long break from class.

    Read all 124 answers

  17. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    No.

    Read all 122 answers

  18. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    There isn't a most popular organization or club on campus. So many students are involves in various activities that not any particular one stands out to me. Athletic events are semi-popular along with shows or other events on campus. I met my closest friends in the activities on got involved in. I even keep in contact with some of the people I met in the dorms. On a typical weekend I am usually with my friends taking a break from academics. We do all sorts of things like play games, rent movies, go to movies, make dinner, go shopping, what we can do is endless. Partying is what I'm here for so I personally choose not to do it often. Some people here party every night of the week while others never drink, ever. Fraternities and sororities are not important. They are a good way to meet people and find different networks but I wouldn't call that important. They do great things however. By this I mean philanthropies. Greeks raise so much money to donate to charities which is a powerful thing that many non-greeks cannot do simply becasue they dont have a lot of people.

    Read all 121 answers

  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Many people believe that Iowa State has a lot of farmers or hicks. Although there are quite a few, I wouldn't say it is an overwhelming feature. There are about 30,000 people on campus so anybody can find the right place for them.

    Read all 11 answers

  20. Tell us about the sports scene on campus.

    Varsity sports are a big deal at ISU, especially football and basketball, and in recent years many of the teams have been improving. If you want to play sports but can't or don't want to devote your time to a varsity sport, intramural and club sports are also big. Tons of sports are offered and there are several skill levels so anyone can participate at the level they want.

    Read all 2 answers

  21. Describe the dorms.

    I lived in Larch my freshman year and some of my best college memories came from there. I met one of my best friends on my floor and everyone was very laid back. The doors were always open and the co-ed floors made it really easy to get to know everyone. I still talk to a lot of the girls from my floor. Larch was a lot different from maple because in maple the doors were always closed. Larch was definitely a good place to live for the social life.

    Read all 2 answers

Student Body

Students

43%

female

57%

male

30,671

Total Undergrad Enrollment

5,679

Total Grad Students

41%

Out-Of-State

53%

In-State

6%

International

Organizations

825

Student Organizations

32

Fraternities

20

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

36%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
5%
% White or Caucasian
74%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

88% of students attending Iowa State University receive some sort of financial aid. 20% were awarded federal grants. While 48% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$21,583

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$995

Books and Supplies

$8,356

Room and Board

30,934

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$8,692
$30 - $48K
$9,697
$48 - $75K
$12,602
$75 - $110K
$15,676
$110K & UP
$17,363

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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