Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
- More
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.
Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a public university located in Ames, IA. This institution follows 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%.
Here are some up-to-date information on important things to consider about 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
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission. Here are the most important information you should 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 takes into consideration standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. 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
13% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 46% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 15% of the first-year 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% of the students between 800 and 999, and 1% of the students between 600 and 799. The percent of new 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 average ACT score for all the admitted students in 2025 was 24 while the average GPA was 3.75. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into Iowa State University of Science and Technology; the same goes for your ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 620 for the enrolled first-year students, while the average SAT Math score was 630.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. 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, indicative of the exceptional educational experience and supportive environment at this school.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 75%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at Iowa State University of Science and Technology in 2025 was 30,432.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 40. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 25,628, 914 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 1,288 transfer students.
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
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 1,071 Asian students and 619 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,785 undergrads 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, as well as 33 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 1,101 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. Here are some data on the expenses that most students at this institution have.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about Iowa State University of Science and Technology estimated tuition costs.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $9,252, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For out-of-state students, tuition fees amounted to $27,346. Tuition costs at Iowa State University of Science and Technology for international students were $29,268. Fees per academic year required of full-time students reached $1,535 in 2025.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $27,346 | $1,535 | $28,881 |
| In-State | $9,252 | $1,535 | $10,787 |
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. Most students have to spend about $700 for books and supplies during their time at Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at Iowa State University of Science and Technology was $10,808 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 came to $5,588 for one academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 9,252 |
| Room and Board | $ 10,808 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 700 |
| Total Expense | $ 20,760 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial aid for students. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid at Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
The most recent records show that 2,747 freshmen received some sort of financial help. Students of this school received an average of $15,665 in financial help.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
10,760 students received some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need amounted to 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 financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria 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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 4,848 students overall (including freshmen) at Iowa State University of Science and Technology 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 non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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. $8,904,062 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
18:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
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. According to the most recent information, there are 1,675 faculty members at this school. This number included 988 male and 687 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about campus life at Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
Its campus spans 1,819 acres.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
This school has 850 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. At this school, 14% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 14 for female students. Other popular organizations among the students at Iowa State University of Science and Technology 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. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For individuals with an interest in media and communication, Iowa State University of Science and Technology publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
Iowa State University of Science and Technology provides a number of services necessary 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 24 hours a day. The transport/escort service operates during late hours.
There is a medical 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 all you need for a comfortable stay.
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 excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional aspirations.
The average annual salary for graduates employed six months after graduation from this institution is 49,724 USD.
$49,724
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
-
Iowa State University of Science and Technology is located in Ames, IA.
-
This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Iowa State University of Science and Technology is 88%.
-
The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Iowa State University of Science and Technology is 87.6%.
Contact Information
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
2433 Union Drive
Ames , IA
50011
515 294-5836
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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.
