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Ames , IA
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, commonly referred to as Iowa State or ISU, is a public research university located in Ames, Iowa. Established in 1858, it is the largest university in the state and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. Iowa State is known for its strong focus on science and technology education and research, evident in its robust range of academic programs and extensive research facilities.
With over 100 majors spread across eight colleges, Iowa State provides a diverse range of educational opportunities to its over 37,000 students. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees, catering to a wide range of interests and career goals. Notably, Iowa State is well-regarded for its programs in fields such as agriculture, engineering, business, veterinary medicine, and computer science.
Research is a cornerstone of Iowa State's identity, and the university is recognized for its cutting-edge discoveries and innovations in various scientific fields. It houses numerous research centers and institutes where faculty and students collaborate on groundbreaking projects. Iowa State's research efforts have a significant impact on society, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, biotechnology, materials science, and sustainable agriculture.
Aside from its academic and research achievements, Iowa State offers a vibrant campus life with numerous student organizations, clubs, and athletic teams. The university's athletic program, named the Cyclones, competes at the NCAA Division I level and is a member of the Big 12 Conference. Additionally, the campus boasts beautiful green spaces, state-of-the-art facilities, and a welcoming community that fosters personal growth and success.
In conclusion, Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a renowned institution that places a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research. With its wide array of academic programs, commitment to groundbreaking research, and vibrant campus life, Iowa State offers students an exceptional educational experience. Whether pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies, students benefit from a supportive environment that encourages exploration, innovation, and personal growth.
Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a public university. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 88%. The freshman retention rate at Iowa State University of Science and Technology is 87.6% and the six-year graduation rate is 75%.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Quick Facts
25,628
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
75%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you find out as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly improve. Here are the most essential information you need to know about admission policy and requirements at Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
According to the most recent information reported, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 20,475 in 2025. Iowa State University of Science and Technology has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores for the applicants who choose to submit them. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
Out of the number of those who submitted test scores, the percentage of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students who submitted SAT scores was 13% and ACT scores 46%. 15% of the enrolled students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 49% between 1,200 and 1,399, 28% between 1,000 and 1,199, 7% between 800 and 999, and 1% between 600 and 799. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 18, 39 between 24-29, 36 in the range between 18-23, and 7 between 12-17.
The ACT composite average score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 24 while the average GPA was 3.75. That means you'll most likely need an above-average GPA to get accepted as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 620 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 630.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for Iowa State University of Science and Technology was 87.6% in 2025, demonstrating the exceptional quality of the educational experience at this institution.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 75%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the right place for you is not a simple task. Having a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at Iowa State University of Science and Technology in 2025 was 30,432.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 40% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 25,628, 914 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 1,288.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 15,329 male and 12,786 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A diverse student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
This school had 1,071 Asian students and 619 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,785 undergraduates at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 823 as multirace. The school also had 15 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 33 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 1,101 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The most recent data reported regarding the expenses for attending this school are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition cost for this university.
For local residents, public county and municipal institutions reported that tuition costs were $9,530. Tuition fees were $28,578 for students coming from out of state. If you are an international student at Iowa State University of Science and Technology, you should know that the 2025 tuition amounted to $30,586. Fees per academic year required of full-time students totaled $1,560.9 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $28,578 | $1,561 | $30,138 |
| In-State | $9,530 | $1,561 | $11,090 |
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate price of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $800.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do schools typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at Iowa State University of Science and Technology was $10,928 in 2025. If you only needed a room on the campus, you had to pay $5,952 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,530 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,928 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 800 |
| Total Expense | $ 21,258 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Iowa State University of Science and Technology, here are some recent data you should take into consideration.
The most recent records show that 2,747 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students equaled $15,665.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
10,760 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 11,101. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $29,745,885, and state $4,885,379. The students of Iowa State University of Science and Technology received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $83,773,983, and external in the amount of $5,725,747.
$5,660
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
4,848 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2025. 1,294 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $29,745,885 while the state aid is $3,806,640. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $60,766,721. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $8,904,062 USD.
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Getting information about the faculty at a school can help you estimate the quality of education you will receive there.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at Iowa State University of Science and Technology was 18:1: that means 18 students per one teacher. The faculty of this school consists of 1,675 members, according to the most recent data reported. This number included 988 men and 687 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at Iowa State University of Science and Technology is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about campus life at Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Its campus spans 1,819 acres.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 850 open-membership organizations at Iowa State University of Science and Technology. That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 14 and female students 14. Other popular student organizations at this school are Intramural Sports and Greek Life.
If you are interested in music, you can join the Iowa State University of Science and Technology band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? Iowa State University of Science and Technology publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Iowa State University of Science and Technology, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
All in all, campus life at Iowa State University of Science and Technology is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Career Counselling
At Iowa State University of Science and Technology, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 49,724 USD.
$49,724
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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Iowa State University of Science and Technology is located in Ames, IA.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for Iowa State University of Science and Technology is 88%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Iowa State University of Science and Technology is 87.6%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
