What is the acceptance rate at Iowa State University, what are the requirements for undergraduate and transfer admission, and how can I apply to Iowa State?
We have discussed all that and more in this article.
Established in the mid-19th century, Iowa State is one of the earliest universities in North America. It began as a small institution in Iowa, with few students enrolling at the time.
Today, Iowa State has one of the largest student enrolments in the United States. The university receives thousands of applications from high schoolers across the U.S and other countries.
If you are an intending applicant to Iowa State University, knowing its acceptance rate and admissions process is essential to your quest.
About Iowa State University
Iowa State University was initially established as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm in 1858. The first classes were held at Iowa State in 1869.
In 1959, the institution was renamed officially to Iowa State University of Science and Technology. Since then, the university has become one of the institutions with breakthroughs in technological research.
Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa. It offers more than 100 undergraduate majors and 195 graduate degree programs with professional degree programs in veterinary medicine.
Iowa State functions on a semester-based academic calendar. The total enrolment at the university comprises over 29,000 undergraduates, graduates, and professional students.
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Colleges at Iowa State University
Iowa State University is organised into six undergraduate colleges and two graduate and professional colleges.
They include the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Business, College of Design, College of Engineering, College of Human Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Graduate College, and College of Veterinary Medicine.
Iowa State University Ranking
According to U.S. News and World Report, Iowa State is ranked #127 in National Universities #61 in Top Public Schools, and #129 in Best Value Schools.
Iowa State University is also ranked #481 according to QS World University Rankings.
Campus Life at Iowa State University
Iowa State University has the perfect environment for the best college life experience. Iowa State provides the basics for students on campus and for those coming into the Iowa State community for the first time.
Iowa State University provides several housing options for students. Living on campus means meeting new friends, and you will be a few steps away from lecture halls.
Across campus, Iowa State provides 20 dining locations. Walk into any of Iowa State eateries, dining centres, or cafés and get healthy meals and the best coffee.
At Iowa State, there are over 800 student clubs for students to join, socialize and learn something new.
Iowa State prioritizes the safety, health, and well-being of everyone on campus. Iowa State University provides services and programs that assist its students academically, physically, and mentally.
Iowa State University Police Department oversees the security and safety of everyone on campus. It also enlightens the community on campus on safety and self-defence.
Iowa State University Admission
The acceptance rate at Iowa State University is not 100% guaranteed
Iowa State uses a holistic approach to review each application. The admission committee at Iowa State will look at several factors before they consider an application competitive for admission.
Firstly, the admission committee at Iowa State will look at your academic performance in high school, the rigour of your school curriculum, your achievement outside the classroom, and what you will contribute to the community on campus.
Having a good academic record is important for admission into Iowa State. However, your application should have more than just numbers that describe your academic performance in school.
If you have been involved in community service, have a talent or have gained experiences outside the classroom, you should include these in your application. Iowa State is searching for students with something extra in their application and including your achievement and experiences in your application gives you an upper edge in the process.
What Is the GPA Requirement at Iowa State?
In other to understand Iowa State’s GPA requirement, let us look at the previously admitted class at the university.
From past admission cycles, Iowa State has admitted students who had an average GPA range of 3.23-3.52.
The newly admitted students at Iowa State University had an average high school GPA of 3.70. To be competitive for admission into Iowa State, you should have an average high school GPA of 3.68.
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SAT and ACT Requirements
Iowa State University prefers students to be in the top 59% of SAT takers. From the previous admission, students who had SAT score composite of 860 have been admitted into Iowa State.
To be competitive for admission at Iowa State, you will need an average SAT score composite of 1120 on the 1600 SAT scale.
On the ACT, Iowa State has admitted students who scored 21 or above. Currently, the average ACT score at Iowa State is 25.
The ACT score for the 25th percentile is 22, and the score for the 75th percentile is 28.
The Acceptance Rate at Iowa State University
Iowa State University is one of the public schools with a high acceptance rate. In the last four years, the average acceptance rate at Iowa State University is estimated at 91%.
A year before the last admission at Iowa State University, 17,882 students were admitted from an applicant pool of 20,223. The acceptance rate at Iowa State University in that particular year was 88.4%.
This indicates that Iowa State denied admission to about 12% of those who applied in that admission cycle.
Despite rejecting up to 12% of applicants, the acceptance rate at Iowa State University is above the national average for colleges in the United States.
First-Year Application Process
Iowa State University is home to over 25,000 undergraduate students, yet it receives thousands of applications each year. Iowa State offers more than 100 undergraduate majors in different areas of study through six undergraduate colleges.
Who Is a First-Year Student?
You are a first-year applicant to Iowa State if you are still in high school or have graduated and earned a diploma or GED. Students who have enrolled at colleges are not considered first-year applicants.
As a first-year applicant to Iowa State, you must meet the university’s minimum high school course requirement for admission.
- English/Language/Arts: 4 years
- Mathematics: 3 years (including a year of algebra, advanced algebra and geometry)
- Sciences: 3 years (with at least two years of biology, chemistry, or physics)
- Social Studies: 2 years
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How to Apply to Iowa State as a First-Year Student
First, create an account for Iowa State’s online application system. After your account is created, it can be used to start new applications.
Step 1. Create Your Account
Make sure you follow the instructions provided on the account creation form and tap on the “Create Account” button.
Step 2. Complete the Application
On the application, choose the type of application you want to create and the term you intend to enrol at Iowa State. The next step involves clicking on the “Start New Application” button.
In other to save your work, make sure you click on the “Save” button at the bottom of every page.
Step 3. View Activity
The view activity page on the application provides information on the status of the application you just created. On the view activity page, you will see the form type, application type, entry term, status and last saved dates.
Step 4. Submit Your Application
Next, you will have to review your application thoroughly, to make sure you provided the correct information. Bear in mind that after submitting your application, you will unable to change some information on it.
After checking if you provided the correct information, submit your application by clicking on the “Finalize and Submit” button.
Then, you will be directed to a page where you need to pay the application fee. Your application to Iowa State University is incomplete without paying the application fee.
After you have successfully submitted your application, the Iowa State Office of Admission will send a confirmation email to you.
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Step 5. Close Your Browser
After completing the application or when you are ending your application, make sure you close your browser. Doing so will clear your password and keep your details secured.
Transfer Application Process and Admissions
Most of the transfer students applying to Iowa State are from community colleges across Iowa.
Who Is Eligible for Transfer Admission at Iowa State University?
You are eligible for transfer admission into Iowa State if you have previously graduated from high school and enrolled in a degree seeking-program at any college or university.
You will be considered for transfer admission If you have completed an average of 24 semester credits (equivalent to 36 quarter credits) of transferable coursework from an accredited college or university and at the same time have a minimum transfer GPA of 2.25.
If you have obtained an associate degree from an accredited college or university, you will be admitted into Iowa State with a transfer GPA of 2.00.
How to Apply to Iowa State as a Transfer Student
Apply online and create your account. Complete the application after you must have selected the application type you intend to create and the term you want to enter Iowa State.
Review, finalize and submit your application. Next, pay the application fee online.
Request that each college or university attended sends your official transcript to Iowa State. The university prefers an official transcript which can be submitted to etranscript@iastate.edu.
Lastly, you will have to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Iowa State University has a specific period for transfer students to complete the Free Application for Federal Students Aid, and the school code is 001869.
What Is the Acceptance Rate for Transfer Students at Iowa State University?
Iowa State University has given an opportunity to thousands of transfer students to graduate and obtain degrees in different areas of study.
The overall acceptance rate at Iowa State University is estimated at 90%, and transfer students enjoy an approximately 80% admission rate. To be eligible for transfer admission into Iowa State University, transfer students must have at least 24 semester credits of transferable coursework from an accredited college or university.
Application Process for International Students and Admissions
Iowa State University has a diverse community with over 90 countries represented on campus. Iowa State University offers an equal opportunity to all first-year applicants and has no preferential treatment based on a student’s nationality, race, religion, or language.
As an international applicant to Iowa State, you must have graduated from secondary/high school and earned a certificate appropriate for university admission in your home country.
If you are from a country where English is not an official language, you will be required to submit English proficiency test scores.
Iowa State University will accept the following English proficiency exams.
- TOEFL: school code-6306
- IELTS: minimum score of 6.0 or higher
- Duolingo: minimum score of 100 or higher
- PTE: minimum score of 48 or higher
- SAT Evidence-Based Writing and Reading: minimum score of 460 or higher- school code 6306
- ACT English: minimum score of 19 or higher-school code 1320
How to Apply to Iowa State as an International Student
Apply online and create your application account. Make sure you fill in your legal name as they appear on your passport when setting up your application account.
As an international student applying to Iowa State University, you will be required to pay an application fee of $50 which is non-refundable.
Next, submit your secondary/high school academic record, financial documents, copy of passport and official test results.
Upload copies of your secondary/high school academic records and official transcript.
The financial documents you will provide should include a bank statement or sponsor letter showing funds ($42,000) to finance your education at Iowa State for a year.
If your transcript is issued in a different language, you will be required to submit a certified English-translated version.
What Is the Acceptance Rate for International Students at Iowa State University?
Iowa State University is one of the preferred destinations for international students coming to the United States to study. International students at Iowa State University are enrolled in undergraduate majors and graduate degree programs.
Regarding the acceptance rate at Iowa State University for international students, the institution has no official admission statistics showing the admission rate for international students.
Iowa State University Tuition and Fees
Here is the estimated cost of attendance at Iowa State.
| Undergraduate Students | Resident | Nonresident | International | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (most majors) | $4,339 | $12,581 | $13,465 | |
| Soph., Junior and Senior Agricultural Systems Technology; Junior and Senior Business (excludes Pre-Business); Soph., Junior, and Senior Engineering; Soph., Junior, and Senior Industrial Technology | $5,803 | $14,299 | $15,184 | |
| Architecture Majors; Junior and Senior Specific Majors; Junior and Senior Experiential Learning Based Majors | $5,236 | $13,490 | $14,374 |
Iowa State Contact Address
- School Address: Ames, IA 50011, United States
- Phone: +1 515-294-4111
Visit the official website of Iowa State University for the lastest news on academics and admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following are frequently asked questions regarding the acceptance rate at Iowa State University.
What is the average GPA to get into Iowa State?
Despite having an acceptance rate of 91%, the average high school GPA at Iowa State University is 3.68. If you are an intending applicant to Iowa State, you will need B’s with a mix of A’s in your high school courses.
How difficult is it to get into Iowa State?
The acceptance rate at Iowa State University is 90%. Just about 10% of those who apply to Iowa State are denied admission. To be a strong candidate for admission at Iowa State, you will need an average high school of 3.68, an SAT score of 1220 and an ACT score of 25.
Can I get into Iowa State with an average GPA of 2.5?
The students who have been successful at Iowa State had an average GPA range of 3.23-3.52. The latest admitted class at Iowa State had an average high school GPA of 3.70. With a GPA of 2.7, getting into Iowa State might be a bit challenging as the university’s average GPA requirement stands at 3.68.
Conclusion
Iowa State University is one of America’s top public schools with a large student enrolment. Although the acceptance rate at Iowa State University is 91%, GPA requirements are high for first-yera admission.
Students have to present academic records to meet Iowa State standards before they are admitted. If you intend to join the next first-year class at Iowa State and you have what it takes to get in, then apply to the university at the appropriate time.
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References
- U.S. News & World Report: Iowa State University of Science and Technology
- Top Universities: Iowa State University
- Times Higher Education: Iowa State University
