Iowa State University

Public
AmesIA
City

Estimated Net Cost

(per year)
$18k

Estimated Post Grad Salary

(per year)
$58k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
Iowa State University is a public university located in Ames, Iowa, founded in 1858. Known for its strong programs in agriculture, engineering, and veterinary medicine, it is perceived as a prestigious research institution with a focus on innovation and sustainability. One unique aspect is its beautiful campus featuring a landmark campanile tower that chimes throughout the day.

Pros

  • Strong focus on research

  • Diverse range of academic programs

  • Vibrant campus life

  • Supportive community and resources for students

Cons

  • Weather can be harsh in winter

  • Potentially high cost of living

  • Limited nightlife options

  • Some programs may have large class sizes

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Iowa State University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Iowa State University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Iowa State University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Iowa State University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
$10,497$41,988
Room and Board
$9,726$38,904
Books and Supplies
$1,091$4,364
Other expenses
$2,890$11,560
Sticker Price$24,204$96,816

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $388 per year over the next three years, reaching $10,885 in 2024, and $11,273 in 2025, and $11,661 in 2026.

Return On Education

Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

957
Iowa State University stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.

Admissions

Iowa State University admissions is not very selective with an acceptance rate of 90%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
Admission Rate
90%
Graduation Rate
75%

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
1090 - 1350
ACT Range
21 - 28
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application Deadline
See college website
Early Decision Date
See college website
Early Action Date
See college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
Agriculture9 programs
Agriculture
Undergraduate Certificate
Farm Equipment Technology
Bachelor's Degree
Crop Production
Master's Degree
Crop Production
Doctoral Degree – Research
Global Agriculture
Bachelor's Degree
Agricultural Public Services
Doctoral Degree – Research
Sciences51 programs
Animal Science
Bachelor's Degree
Animal Science
Master's Degree
Animal Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Food Science & Technology
Bachelor's Degree
Food Science & Technology
Master's Degree
Food Science & Technology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Food Science & Technology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Plant Science
Bachelor's Degree
Plant Science
Master's Degree
Plant Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Plant Science
Doctoral Degree – Other
Soil Science
Master's Degree
Soil Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Computer Science
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Science
Master's Degree
Computer Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Consumer Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Consumer Sciences
Master's Degree
Consumer Sciences
Doctoral Degree – Other
Family Economics
Bachelor's Degree
Botany
Bachelor's Degree
Botany
Master's Degree
Botany
Doctoral Degree – Research
Cellular Biology
Master's Degree
Cellular Biology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Microbiology
Bachelor's Degree
Microbiology
Master's Degree
Microbiology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Zoology
Bachelor's Degree
Zoology
Master's Degree
Zoology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Master's Degree
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Neuroscience
Master's Degree
Neuroscience
Doctoral Degree – Research
Gerontology
Master's Degree
Gerontology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Gerontology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Astronomy
Master's Degree
Astronomy
Doctoral Degree – Research
Meteorology
Bachelor's Degree
Meteorology
Master's Degree
Meteorology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Geology
Bachelor's Degree
Geology
Master's Degree
Geology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Psychology
Bachelor's Degree
Psychology
Master's Degree
Psychology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Psychology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Social Sciences
Bachelor's Degree
Veterinary5 programs
Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Doctoral Degree – Professional
Veterinary Biomedical Science
Doctoral Degree – Research
Veterinary Biomedical Science
Doctoral Degree – Other
Veterinary Medicine
Doctoral Degree – Professional
Technician4 programs
Quality & Safety Technician
Undergraduate Certificate
Quality & Safety Technician
Doctoral Degree – Other
Interdisciplinary3 programs
Area Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Other Interdisciplinary
Bachelor's Degree
Other Interdisciplinary
Master's Degree
Natural Resources14 programs
Natural Resources Conservation
Bachelor's Degree
Natural Resources Conservation
Doctoral Degree – Research
Environmental Management
Master's Degree
Environmental Management
Doctoral Degree – Research
Environmental Management
Doctoral Degree – Other
Fisheries Management
Master's Degree
Fisheries Management
Doctoral Degree – Research
Forestry
Bachelor's Degree
Forestry
Master's Degree
Forestry
Doctoral Degree – Research
Wildlife Management
Master's Degree
Wildlife Management
Doctoral Degree – Research
Sustainability Studies
Master's Degree
Architecture6 programs
Architecture
Bachelor's Degree
Architecture
Master's Degree
Landscape Architecture
Bachelor's Degree
Landscape Architecture
Master's Degree
Architectural Technology
Bachelor's Degree
Architectural Technology
Master's Degree
Urban & Community Planning4 programs
Urban Planning
Bachelor's Degree
Urban Planning
Master's Degree
Urban Planning
Doctoral Degree – Research
Urban Planning
Doctoral Degree – Other
Engineering52 programs
Environmental Design
Master's Degree
Aerospace Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Aerospace Engineering
Master's Degree
Aerospace Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Aerospace Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Agricultural Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Agricultural Engineering
Master's Degree
Agricultural Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Biomedical Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Biomedical Engineering
Master's Degree
Biomedical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Biomedical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Chemical Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Chemical Engineering
Master's Degree
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Chemical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Civil Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Civil Engineering
Master's Degree
Civil Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Civil Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Computer Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Computer Engineering
Master's Degree
Computer Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Computer Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Electrical Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Electrical Engineering
Master's Degree
Electrical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Electrical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Engineering Mechanics
Master's Degree
Engineering Mechanics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Engineering Mechanics
Doctoral Degree – Other
Materials Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Materials Engineering
Master's Degree
Materials Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Mechanical Engineering
Master's Degree
Mechanical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Systems Engineering
Master's Degree
Systems Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Construction Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Industrial Engineering
Bachelor's Degree
Industrial Engineering
Master's Degree
Industrial Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Industrial Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Other
Electromechanical Engineering
Doctoral Degree – Research
Energy Systems Engineering
Master's Degree
Engineering Support Fields
Bachelor's Degree
Engineering Support Fields
Master's Degree
Biotechnology
Master's Degree
Biotechnology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Biotechnology
Doctoral Degree – Other
History6 programs
Historic Preservation
Master's Degree
Historic Preservation
Doctoral Degree – Other
Geography
Doctoral Degree – Other
History
Bachelor's Degree
History
Master's Degree
History
Doctoral Degree – Research
Humanities4 programs
Ethnic & Cultural Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Human-Computer Interaction
Master's Degree
Human-Computer Interaction
Doctoral Degree – Research
Human-Computer Interaction
Doctoral Degree – Other
Communications9 programs
Communication & Media Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Journalism
Bachelor's Degree
Journalism
Master's Degree
Writing
Bachelor's Degree
Writing
Master's Degree
Writing
Doctoral Degree – Research
Public Administration
Bachelor's Degree
Public Administration
Master's Degree
Public Administration
Doctoral Degree – Other
Linguistics6 programs
PR & Advertising
Bachelor's Degree
Bilingual Education
Bachelor's Degree
Language Studies
Bachelor's Degree
Language Studies
Doctoral Degree – Research
Germanic Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Romance Languages
Bachelor's Degree
Computers6 programs
Computer & Information Science
Bachelor's Degree
IT Management
Master's Degree
IT Management
Doctoral Degree – Other
Computational Science
Bachelor's Degree
Computational Science
Doctoral Degree – Other
Hospitality3 programs
Hospitality Management
Bachelor's Degree
Hospitality Management
Master's Degree
Hospitality Management
Doctoral Degree – Research
Education30 programs
Education General
Master's Degree
Education General
Doctoral Degree – Research
Education General
Doctoral Degree – Other
Curriculum Design
Bachelor's Degree
Curriculum Design
Master's Degree
Curriculum Design
Doctoral Degree – Research
Curriculum Design
Doctoral Degree – Other
Education Administration
Master's Degree
Education Administration
Doctoral Degree – Research
Education Administration
Doctoral Degree – Other
Instructional Media
Doctoral Degree – Research
Education Assessment & Evaluation
Doctoral Degree – Other
Education Philosophy
Master's Degree
Education Philosophy
Doctoral Degree – Other
Special Education
Master's Degree
Special Education
Doctoral Degree – Other
Teacher Training
Bachelor's Degree
Teacher Training
Master's Degree
Teacher Training
Doctoral Degree – Other
Subject-Specific Teaching
Bachelor's Degree
Subject-Specific Teaching
Master's Degree
Subject-Specific Teaching
Doctoral Degree – Research
Subject-Specific Teaching
Doctoral Degree – Other
ESL Teaching
Master's Degree
ESL Teaching
Doctoral Degree – Research
ESL Teaching
Doctoral Degree – Other
Kinesiology
Bachelor's Degree
Kinesiology
Master's Degree
Kinesiology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Social Work4 programs
Human Development
Bachelor's Degree
Human Development
Master's Degree
Human Development
Doctoral Degree – Research
Human Development
Doctoral Degree – Other
Health6 programs
Nutrition
Master's Degree
Nutrition
Doctoral Degree – Research
Nutrition Science
Bachelor's Degree
Nutrition Science
Master's Degree
Medical Administration
Bachelor's Degree
Medical Illustration
Bachelor's Degree
Apparel & Textiles4 programs
Apparel & Textiles
Bachelor's Degree
Apparel & Textiles
Master's Degree
Apparel & Textiles
Doctoral Degree – Research
Apparel & Textiles
Doctoral Degree – Other
English3 programs
English Language & Literature
Bachelor's Degree
English Language & Literature
Doctoral Degree – Research
Liberal Arts3 programs
Liberal Arts
Undergraduate Certificate
Liberal Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Liberal Arts
Master's Degree
Biology14 programs
Biology
Bachelor's Degree
Biology
Master's Degree
Biology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Bioinformatics
Bachelor's Degree
Bioinformatics
Master's Degree
Bioinformatics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Ecology
Bachelor's Degree
Ecology
Master's Degree
Ecology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Chiropractic
Bachelor's Degree
Genetics3 programs
Genetics
Bachelor's Degree
Genetics
Master's Degree
Genetics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Mathematics12 programs
Mathematics
Bachelor's Degree
Mathematics
Master's Degree
Mathematics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Mathematics
Doctoral Degree – Other
Applied Mathematics
Master's Degree
Applied Mathematics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Statistics
Bachelor's Degree
Statistics
Master's Degree
Statistics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Management Science
Bachelor's Degree
Management Science
Master's Degree
Management Science
Doctoral Degree – Other
Military IntelligenceBachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice3 programs
Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degree
Criminal Justice
Doctoral Degree – Other
Security Science & Technology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Economics3 programs
Economics
Bachelor's Degree
Economics
Master's Degree
Economics
Doctoral Degree – Research
PhilosophyBachelor's Degree
Religious StudiesBachelor's Degree
Chemistry4 programs
Chemistry
Bachelor's Degree
Chemistry
Master's Degree
Chemistry
Doctoral Degree – Research
Chemistry
Doctoral Degree – Other
Physics3 programs
Physics
Bachelor's Degree
Physics
Master's Degree
Physics
Doctoral Degree – Research
Government4 programs
Public Policy
Master's Degree
Political Science
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
Master's Degree
Political Science
Doctoral Degree – Other
Anthropology3 programs
Anthropology
Bachelor's Degree
Anthropology
Master's Degree
Anthropology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Sociology4 programs
Sociology
Bachelor's Degree
Sociology
Master's Degree
Sociology
Doctoral Degree – Research
Sociology
Doctoral Degree – Other
Arts7 programs
Visual & Performing Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Visual & Performing Arts
Master's Degree
Applied Arts
Bachelor's Degree
Applied Arts
Master's Degree
Applied Arts
Doctoral Degree – Other
Fine Arts
Undergraduate Certificate
Music
Bachelor's Degree
Medical2 programs
Diagnostic Health Professions
Bachelor's Degree
Nursing
Bachelor's Degree
Nutrition3 programs
Nutrition Services
Bachelor's Degree
Nutrition Services
Master's Degree
Nutrition Services
Doctoral Degree – Other
Business14 programs
Business Administration
Bachelor's Degree
Business Management
Undergraduate Certificate
Business Management
Bachelor's Degree
Business Management
Master's Degree
Business Management
Doctoral Degree – Research
Business Management
Doctoral Degree – Other
Accounting
Bachelor's Degree
Accounting
Master's Degree
Business Support
Bachelor's Degree
Business Economics
Bachelor's Degree
Finance
Bachelor's Degree
Finance
Master's Degree
International Business
Bachelor's Degree
Marketing
Bachelor's Degree
Entrepreneurship2 programs
Entrepreneurship
Bachelor's Degree
Entrepreneurship
Doctoral Degree – Other
Marketing2 programs
Specialty Sales
Master's Degree
Specialty Sales
Doctoral Degree – Research

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment5,859
Full-time Students5,794
Part-time Students65

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:18:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about Iowa State University. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.6)
Niche
(3.9)
US News
(5.0)

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