University of Iowa campus

credit : Tony Webster | license

Iowa Demographics & Diversity

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Iowa City, IA
  • 3.0 3 reviews
#1 Best Public Universities in Iowa
Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Medium

Racial Diversity Index: 49%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at Iowa are primarily White with a small Foreign Resident population. The school has medium racial diversity. 33% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of University of Iowa students
Race Percent of Students
White
67%
Black
3%
Hispanic
7%
Asian
4%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
3%
International
12%
Race Unknown
4%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 49%

There are 28% more female students than male students enrolled at University of Iowa with a gender ratio of 56% women to 44% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, Iowa has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for University of Iowa students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
44%
Women
56%
Enrollment by gender for University of Iowa students
Gender Number of Students
Men
13,512
Women
17,267

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 46%

Iowa draws 54 percent of students from Iowa, 45 percent from other states, and 1 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside Iowa, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for University of Iowa students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
54%
Out of State
45%
Foreign
1%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$63,769 per year

17% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

30,779
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 8%
Part-time undergraduates 10.3%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to University of Iowa often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153658.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026