Iowa State University campus
Iowa State University logo

Iowa State University

Type 4 year, Public
Campus locale City: Small
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Semester
Student body size Large
Common app member Yes
Dormitory capacity 9,400
Student to faculty ratio 18 to 1
Acceptance rate 91%
Students retention rate 88%
On-time graduation rate 76%

Located in Ames, Iowa, Iowa State is a public, institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. The college operates on a semester-based calendar system, providing students with structured academic terms.

The acceptance rate of 91% indicates that Iowa State is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

Iowa State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at Iowa State is 18-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in Iowa is 16-to-1, while the national average is 17-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

Iowa State boasts an impressive student retention rate of 88% , indicating that the majority of students choose to continue their education at the institution. This number surpasses both the state and national averages of 86% and 72%, respectively.


  • Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission
  • The institution provides on-campus housing

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

91.1%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$9,634

Cost of attendance at Iowa State University in 2022 for students from Iowa.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Iowa's average $9,543
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$25,446

Cost of attendance at Iowa State University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Iowa's average $25,701
National average $18,862

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 87 of freshman students at Iowa State University received on average $8,833 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$8,833
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 896 18% $4,818 $4,316,929
Other Federal Grant 1,477 30% $4,577 $6,760,345
State Grant/Scholarships 29 1% $3,930 $113,970
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 4,199 84% $7,429 $31,194,078
Total Grant & Scholarships 4,310 87% $8,833 $38,068,393

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of Iowa State University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of Iowa State University students is 76.0%. Female students graduated at a rate of 80.1%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 73.0%.

76.0%

  • asian 71.6% 154 students
  • African American 57.0% 94 students
  • white 78.1% 3,644 students
  • unknown 76.7% 270 students
  • hawaiian 50.0% 4 students
  • hispanic 66.8% 213 students
  • International Students 74.9% 206 students
  • Mixed Race 63.4% 97 students

Sport Conferences

  • Football Big Twelve Conference
  • Basketball Big Twelve Conference
  • Track and Cross Country Big Twelve Conference

Athletic Associations

  • NCAA
    National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)

Service Offerings

Iowa State University provides the following additional services to its students
  • On-campus day care for students' children
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

Iowa State University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification
  • ROTC - Army
  • ROTC - Navy
  • ROTC - Air Force

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)