Campus photo
Photo: Dirk DBQ / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0Iowa State University
Ames, IA
89%
Acceptance Rate
25,367
Undergraduates
$29k
Out-of-state tuition
75%
6-yr grad rate
$63k
Median Earnings (10 yrs)
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Data as of May 2026
Can I Get In?
89%
Accessible
Acceptance Rate (2024-25)
Test OptionalSAT Range (2023-24)1120–1360
ACT Range (2023-24)21–28
Avg Admitted GPA (CDS)3.25
$55 application fee
25,367 degree-seeking undergraduates (2024-25)
Public · City: Small
Can I Afford It?
Out-of-state tuition (2024-25)
$28,881
Average Net Price (2023-24)
$18,589
This college's average after grants, all family incomes. Not your price.
$22,869Median Debt
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry$63,386/yr
Debt-to-earnings ratio36%
Why Go Here?
$63k
Median Earnings
10 yrs after entry
18:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
25.4k
Undergraduates
Large
Public · City: Small
How Does It Stack Up?
#45
Deal Score in IA
of 68 rated colleges
Deal Score76
Good value
20% First-Gen Students
19% Pell Grant Recipients
At a Glance
Iowa State University is a public college in Ames, IA. It enrolls 25,367 degree-seeking undergraduates (2024-25).
Deal Score
76
/ 100
Good value
Based on cost, earnings, & outcomes
Academics & Admissions
Student-Faculty Ratio
18:1
SAT Middle 50% / Avg GPA
1120–1360
SAT (2023-24)
3.25
GPA (CDS)
Test Optional
Application Deadline
Not reported
via Common Application
Cost & Financial Aid
Out-of-state tuition (2024-25)$28,881
Avg net price, % of cost of attendance (2023-24)77%
Students Receiving Aid (CDS 2024-25)47%
Room & Board (2024-25)$10,808
Median Debt at Graduation$22,869
Highest-Earning Programs
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$85k/yr
Computer Engineering$79k/yr
Computer Science$79k/yr
Construction Engineering$78k/yr
Chemical Engineering$76k/yr
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$75k/yr
Explore Careers
Discover careers related to Iowa State University's top programs
The Vibe
7
Rigor
6
Career
8
Value
City: Small
Setting
Out of 10. Rigor from the SAT middle-50% midpoint (400 = 0, 1600 = 10); Career from median earnings 10 years after entry ($10k per point); Value is the Deal Score ÷ 10. Setting is the federal locale.
College Decoded Grades
B
Academics
B
Value
B
Outcomes
C
Diversity
Not enough data
Housing
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How much do families pay at Iowa State University?
| Family income | Average net price |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $10,582 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $11,506 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $15,463 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $19,605 |
| Over $110,000 | $22,496 |
Average net price after grants, from the federal College Scorecard. See the full Cost tab
See your real chances and true cost at Iowa State University