Chances of getting into Iowa State University
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Difficult | |
| Applicant Competition | Very Low |
Will you get accepted?
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How hard is it to get into ISU and can I get accepted? The school has a 92% acceptance rate ranking it #29 in Iowa for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 16,796 out of 18,246 applicants were admitted making Iowa State University an easy school to get into with a very good chance of acceptance assuming you meet the requirements. Academically, it has difficult requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 39 percent. Iowa State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students. Only 33% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
Test Requirements
You must submit admission test scores with your application. Iowa State University is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ISU SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 540 |
| SAT Math 25th | 560 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1100 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 650 |
| SAT Math 75th | 690 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1340 |
| Average SAT Score | 1220 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to Iowa State University?
Iowa State University typically prefers applicants to be in the top 41 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1100 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 980. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1220 out of 1600. The school ranks #5 in Iowa for highest average SAT composite score. 19 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1340 and Above | Good | >95% |
| 1220 to 1340 | Avg + | 92%-95% |
| 1100 to 1220 | Avg - | 87%-92% |
| 980 to 1100 | Reach | 80%-87% |
| Less than 980 | Low | <80% |
ISU ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 21 |
| ACT Math 25th | 21 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 22 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 28 |
| ACT Math 75th | 28 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 28 |
| Average ACT Score | 25 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into ISU?
Admission data indicates that ISU regularly accepts students with ACT's of 22 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 37 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 19 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 25 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 28 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #4 in Iowa for highest average ACT composite score. Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 86 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Iowa State University.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 28 and Above | Good | >95% |
| 25 to 28 | Avg + | 92%-95% |
| 22 to 25 | Avg - | 87%-92% |
| 19 to 22 | Reach | 80%-87% |
| Less than 19 | Low | <80% |
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ISU GPA
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State University?
Applicants require very good grades in high school to get into ISU. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at Iowa State University was 3.6 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily B+ students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #6 in Iowa for highest average GPA. If your high school grades are above the average 3.6 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as ISU accepts 92% of all applicants.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 36% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 22% | Avg + |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 18% | Avg - |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 14% | Reach |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | 9% | Reach |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | 1% | Reach |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Wintergreen Orchard House
Similar Requirements
High School Class Rank
56% of Iowa State University freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 26% |
| Top 25% of class | 56% |
| Top 50% of class | 90% |
| Bottom 50% of class | 10% |
| Bottom 25% of class | 13% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 8,854 | 9,392 | 18,246 |
| Accepted | 8,137 | 8,659 | 16,796 |
| Acceptance Rate | 92% | 92% | 92% |
| Enrolled | 2,552 | 3,045 | 5,597 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 31% | 35% | 33% |
Fall 2021 Application Deadline
Applications are Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 250 days left until the Fall 2021 term applications are due on Jul 1, 2022.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Iowa State University is $40.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Iowa State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Required |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Neither required nor recommended |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153603 IPEDS survey data for Iowa State University.
FAQs
Does Iowa State University prefer SAT or ACT?
19% of students submit their SAT scores to ISU. 86% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into Iowa State University?
92% of those who apply are granted admission to ISU. Admission competition is and the college has difficult admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for Iowa State University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1100 and 1340. 19% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for Iowa State University?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 22 and 28. 86% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.