Overview
Enrollment
Best Colleges Rank
| Location | Ames, Iowa |
| Online | iastate.edu |
| School Type | Public 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus 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
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
ISU is rated within the top 38% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 7 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Iowa State University within the 2025 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#351 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#95 in Best Public Colleges in the U.S.
#5 in Best Colleges in Iowa
#2 in Best Public Colleges in Iowa
#232 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#6 in Best Value Colleges in Iowa
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1110/1350 |
| ACT | 21/28 |
| GPA | 3.7 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | - |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
| Application Fee | $40 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Iowa Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,091 |
| Other Fees | $1,515 |
| Room and Board | $9,726 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,890 |
| Total One Year Cost | $24,204 |
Out of State Resident Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,091 |
| Other Fees | $1,515 |
| Room and Board | $9,726 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $2,890 |
| Total One Year Cost | $41,390 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Business | 20% |
| Engineering | 17% |
| Agriculture | 9% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 7% |
| Communication | 5% |
Other Colleges to Consider
Students considering ISU are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Iowa State University.
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153603 IPEDS survey data for Iowa State University.
Current students may use the Iowa State University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2025