Iowa State University
- 7/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Ames, IA
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4.0 4 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
30,380- Location Ames, Iowa
- Website iastate.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Small City
Best Colleges Rank
#343- Size Large
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Iowa State University, located in Ames, Iowa, approximately 30 miles north of Des Moines, is a land-grant institution established in 1858. The 1,900-acre main campus features notable examples of both Classical and modern architecture, including a central lawn with buildings arranged in a traditional collegiate style. The university maintains strong academic programs in engineering, agriculture, design, and veterinary medicine, with engineering and agricultural sciences being particularly prominent areas of research and study. Students typically reside in on-campus housing during their first year, with multiple residence halls situated throughout the campus's two primary residential districts. As a member of the Big 12 Conference, Iowa State's athletic program competes at the NCAA Division I level, with the Cyclones maintaining competitive programs in basketball and wrestling.
Ratings
ISU is rated within the top 38% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10.
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Overall Rating7 out of 10
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Academics7 out of 10
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Resources5 out of 10
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Outcomes8 out of 10
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Value8 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for Iowa State University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
- SAT 1120/1360
- ACT 21/28
- GPA 3.7
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due -
- Enrollment Rate 28.8%
- Application Fee $55
Applicant Competition Very Low
Annual Cost to Attend
Iowa Resident Tuition
$10,787Out of State Resident Tuition
$28,881Breakdown
- Tuition $10,787
- Books and Supplies $700
- Other Fees $1,535
- Room and Board $10,808
- Budget for Other Expenses $2,400
- Total One Year Cost $26,230
- Tuition $28,881
- Books and Supplies $700
- Other Fees $1,535
- Room and Board $10,808
- Budget for Other Expenses $2,400
- Total One Year Cost $44,324
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at Iowa State University are Business, Engineering, and Agriculture. 20% of students major in Business, 17% in Engineering, and 9% in Agriculture.
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Business 20%
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Engineering 17%
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Agriculture 9%
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Visual and Performing Arts 7%
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Communication 5%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering Iowa State University are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153603.
GPA calculator: Iowa State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026