Iowa State University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into Iowa State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

89.1%

Admission Difficulty for Iowa State University
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Difficult
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at ISU is 89.1%. Its admission rate is the 22nd lowest in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into ISU and can you get accepted?

Iowa State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 20,496 out of the 22,995 who applied were admitted.

Iowa State University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into ISU?

89% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Iowa State University you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1230 on the SAT
Score 24 on the ACT
Graduate in the top half of your high school class

ISU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.7

Typical High School Grades

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into ISU are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.7 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as ISU accepts 89% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at ISU is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 26% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #5 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since ISU is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Iowa State University students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	26.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	27.0%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	18.0%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	13.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	9.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	6.0%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	1.0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

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ISU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Iowa State University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 10% of students submitted SAT scores and 51% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1110-1350

Applicants Submitting SAT

10%

SAT Scores for Iowa State University
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	550
Math 25th Percentile	560
Composite 25th Percentile	1110

SAT Scores for Iowa State University
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	660
Math 75th Percentile	690
Composite 75th Percentile	1350
Average SAT Score	1230

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Iowa State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at ISU is 1230 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1110-1350. Students who get into Iowa State University score in the top 39 percent of all SAT test takers.. ISU ranks #4 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1230 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. ISU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1110 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1110, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 990, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Iowa State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1230 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1230, you have around a 89% chance of being admitted. A 1350 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 94% chance of getting in.

Iowa State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1350 and Above	Good	>94%
1230 to 1350	Avg +	89%-94%
1110 to 1230	Avg -	81%-89%
990 to 1110	Reach	69%-81%
Less than 990	Low	<69%

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ISU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

21-28

Applicants Submitting ACT

51%

ACT Scores for Iowa State University
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	19
Math 25th Percentile	19
Composite 25th Percentile	21

ACT Scores for Iowa State University
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	27
Math 75th Percentile	27
Composite 75th Percentile	28
Average ACT Score	24

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into ISU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to ISU is 24, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 21 and 28. The school ranks #8 in Iowa for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 24. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 21 and score in the score in the top 43 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

51 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Iowa State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Iowa State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into ISU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 24 score has around 89% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 94% with a 28 ACT score.

Iowa State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
28 and Above	Good	>94%
24 to 28	Avg +	89%-94%
21 to 24	Avg -	82%-89%
18 to 21	Reach	73%-82%
Less than 18	Low	<73%

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High School Class Rank

79% of Iowa State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 45% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Iowa State University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	22%
Top 25% of class	45%
Top 50% of class	79%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Iowa State University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	10,849	12,146	22,995
Accepted	9,826	10,670	20,496
Acceptance Rate	91%	88%	89%
Enrolled	2,712	3,147	5,859
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	28%	29%	29%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Iowa State University is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Iowa State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Iowa State University Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Iowa State University
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Iowa State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1230 and ACT of 24 will almost guarantee your admission.