University of Florida Vs Iowa State University: Compare Fees, Placement, Reviews
Compare University of Florida Vs Iowa State University based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze University of Florida Vs Iowa State University on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
Compare University of Florida Vs Iowa State University based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze University of Florida Vs Iowa State University on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
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University of Florida V/s Iowa State UniversityStudent Ratings
Rating of colleges
4.1/5
43 Verified Reviews
3.4 Internships- 4.3 Part time work
- 3.8 Post study jobs
- 4.3 Quality of faculty
- 4.6 Student Life
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3.8/5
18 Verified Reviews- 3.6 Internships
- 3.7 Part time work
- 3.8 Post study jobs
- 4.2 Quality of faculty
- 4.1 Student Life
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University of Florida V/s Iowa State UniversityCourse Comparison
5 Popular courses in colleges
University of Florida V/s Iowa State University MS
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University of Florida V/s Iowa State University B.Sc.
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University of Florida V/s Iowa State University B.E. / B.Tech
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University of Florida V/s Iowa State University B.A.
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University of Florida V/s Iowa State University MBA/PGDM
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Other courses
- BBA (12 courses)
- M.A. (44 courses)
- M.Agri. (10 courses)
- LL.M. (4 courses)
- M.Arch (4 courses)
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- BBA (14 courses)
- M.A. (12 courses)
- M.Agri. (6 courses)
- M.Arch (3 courses)
- Others PG (2 courses)
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University of Florida V/s Iowa State UniversityCollege Comparison
About College
Established Year
1853
Number of Campus
1
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
-/-
Accepted Exams
TOEFL+4 More
Established Year
1858
Number of Campus
1
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
1900 Acres
Accepted Exams
TOEFL+4 More
Established Year
-/-
Number of Campus
-/-
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
-/-
Accepted Exams
-/-
University of Florida V/s Iowa State UniversityCampus Comparison
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At a Glance
Student Life
This is Florida: Glimpses of Winter Life on Campus
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Front View
Aerial View
Campus view
Levin College Of Law
Classrooms
Library
Mark Bostick Golfcourse
Football Complex
Myrtha Pools
Accommodation
Campus Tour
Campus Drone Tour
The College Tour
Entry Gate 
Admission
Main Building
IOWA Top View
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DormeMain Building
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Country Facts
Study in USA
Top Ranked and Reputed Universities
Diverse range of world-renowned institutions, offering cutting-edge program- Access to top-notch faculty, resources, and extensive alumni networks
Campus Culture and Safety- Vibrant multicultural environment, fostering tolerance and global exposure
- Stringent safety measures with campus police and emergency protocols
Good Quality of Life- High living standards, comprehensive healthcare, and excellent infra
- Access to diverse recreational activities and and natural attractions
Study in USA
Top Ranked and Reputed Universities- Diverse range of world-renowned institutions, offering cutting-edge program
- Access to top-notch faculty, resources, and extensive alumni networks
Campus Culture and Safety- Vibrant multicultural environment, fostering tolerance and global exposure
- Stringent safety measures with campus police and emergency protocols
Good Quality of Life- High living standards, comprehensive healthcare, and excellent infra
- Access to diverse recreational activities and and natural attractions
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Student’s views on campus
Views on University of Florida campus
S
Sushanth Kotha
M.S. in Computer Science - Batch of 2025
4.4
Great campus and reputation. Average CS courses. Excellent on-campus part time.
Tips: Students should have good clarity on which career path they want to pursue. Carefully choose courses that align with your domain. You should meet the prerequisites. Try to pick courses that include strong hands on projects as these projects can later be added to your resume and will be useful for jobs. All in all be attentive and active. Participate in events and organise few clubs. I am quite satisfied with my experiences.
Likes (Safety): Most people in Gainesville are connected to the university in one or another, which generally makes it a safe place to live. Off-campus accommodation is also quite safe. There aren't many fancy places to hang out on weekends, but if you stay in the Southwest area where many Indians live, you'll find plenty of food options and all the essential stores within walking distance. Transportation to the university is mostly through RTS buses (Gainesville regional buses), which are reliable and safe. Safety is not something to worry about in Gainesville.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1000
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
Prashanth Chandrasekaran
Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management - Batch of 2025
4
University of Florida- A good school that could be made a lot better
Tips: Cultural shift for sure at the beginning, as for any new country but once it settles in, it should be fine. My course department doesn't offer any scholarships but the engineering department does offer scholarships. It was based on the GRE/GMAT score and almost everyone in engineering, especially international students, got a scholarship.
Likes (Indian Food): There are quite a few indian restaurant options nearby and grocery shops. There is a good network of buses across the campus. It's pretty easy to find familiar ingredients, snacks and ready to eat items and cooking at home is quite convenient too. There is no need for a car in a city like Gainesville, as it has good buses.
Dislikes (Value for money): I don't feel the tuition fee for this course is justified. Studying in the US is expensive and when I look back at everything, I don't feel like I got enough out of the programme to match the level of investment I made. Not that the course was bad it did cover relevant topics and there were moments where I learned useful things but the value didn't match the price tag.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 800
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management - Batch of 2025
3.5
A fun loving college town with decent amount of things to do and many students.
Tips: I would say keep your mind open. If you are coming from a tier 1 city in India, this city will definitely feel like a village. But the people are very fun loving and sporty. It's a party place. Engineering school provide scholarships but not business school.
Likes (Safety): This is the safest city in the USA. I have been to many bigger cities but they all have a lot of stray and homeless population which is very dangerous unlike in Gainesville. In Gainesville, you will find mostly local students, international students and very old people.
Dislikes (Value for money): I would say for business school, it's not too much but if we are talking only about this particular degree, then I don't think it's worth it. One should consider either a more technical degree, like an MS in Computer Science or a pure MBA for more management related roles.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 700
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 69775
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management - Batch of 2025
4.6
Amazing experience. Great place and a good place to enhance your career.
Tips: Have your goal decided before you come here! Get some good experience, at least 4-5 years in your domain, and be ready to face failure. There will be days when you'll feel alone, but if you ignore that and keep going you will get the rewards in the end.
Likes (Student Life): The University of Florida Gainesville campus blends historic architecture with modern facilities with lively student hubs top notch research athletic pride at the swamp. It's a beautiful experience and a pretty good environment for a person to study and shine.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): Because of the current rules and regulations, it's getting tougher to get settled here everyday. As the new rules come by nothing is certain so you have to have a strong heart and a great will to come here and do the hard work that is required, and then you'll get the success.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 950
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 92150
R
Ryan
M.S. in Computer Science - Batch of 2025
3.8
Not UF but US has brought a change in me.
Tips: Nothing UF has done specifically but coming to the US has made me much more independent, managing my own finances, balancing part-time work with studies and socializing at the same time. It's also helped me develop a more open-minded perspective and appreciation for people of different cultures.
Likes (Value for money): The tuition fees are quite affordable compared to many other universities, and students from this programme often land good jobs after graduation. UF is also a target school for companies like Amazon, so many students get hired there, which makes the tuition feel well worth it.
Dislikes (Internships): The job market was tough during my time and very few students were able to get internships and the career fair were basically useless as for every other university because they want students who they don't have to sponsor so basically students with a green card or citizenship. If by luck your experience in India aligns with that of any one of the projects those companies are working for, only then will you get an internship. Go to Shell Hack Hackathon and GHC that is how two friends of mine got an internship.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 825
Prepping time for classes7 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Applied Data Science - Batch of 2026
4.3
The university is very good and placed as top 1 public university in nation as per 2025.
Tips: Everything is good apart from academics. Good culture, good atmosphere, sports etc. I refer juniors to join. Good university and less tuition fees and easily anyone can sustain. The course, country and university are very cool and calm, so that every student can achieve their career goals
Dislikes (Internships): There are less opportunities for students to get internships in the present situation. Students have to search for their own in job portals like LinkedIn, the official pages of companies. Every student who comes to study abroad should apply their own to jobs, the college is not responsible for that.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 600
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 100750
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Applied Data Science - Batch of 2026
4.3
Medical AI research focused university.
Tips: There are many research opportunities, it's just that you have to look for them. Start building connections with people in the university. University of Florida provides a lot of opportunities for students to grow academically and professionally make sure you take advantage of those.
Likes (Value for money): As compared to other colleges in the US, University of Florida offers cheaper per credit fees as well as the accommodation prices are relatively affordable. We get many daily essentials for free at the university which significantly reduce our monthly consumption cost.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): I rated 3 on Permanent immigration/settlement because, while US does offer pathways for permanent residence via employment or further education, but I personally prefer going back to home country to permanently settle there or maybe lookout for opportunities closer to home country.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 900
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
M.S. in Computer Science - Batch of 2026
3.1
University of Florida - MS CS.
Tips: You should come with the expectation that finding a job would be totally upon your efforts and the sponsorship situation is bad, so that would mean extra effort. The expenses and tuition fee are on the lower end, so after finding a job, the ROI is very high.
Likes (Part time work): Part time is very easy to find on campus. Particularly dining. The base pay is 15$ and you can work up to 20hours per week. Professors' work are more difficult to find, but since it is academically oriented, work wise it plays better and adds to your resume.
Dislikes (Internships): Internships are hard to find. The campus fair is attended by local companies. Most of them mostly don't hire international students due to Visa sponsorship issues. So it is mostly about the person to find good internships via applying online and less of University's effort.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 750
Prepping time for classes15 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 90000
A
Anonymous
M.S. in Computer Science - Batch of 2027
4.5
University of Florida - A boon to sincere students.
Tips: There is a huge cultural difference between USA and India, so everyone needs to be prepared and come with an open mind. Try watching as many videos about the USA as possible so that you are prepared for it all. I got a scholarship of 1500$ per semester. It was given based on merit to the students of our department. There are plenty of resources to study. Professors and their assistants are supportive, and the education system is not that difficult. The return on investment if you get a job is very high at the University of Florida.
Likes (Part time work): There are plenty of part time jobs available on campus. Doing 10-15 hrs a week can easily help manage your monthly expenses along with studies. Any more hours on part time job will affect your studies. The minimum wage currently is 14$ per hour and 1.5$/hr extra if you are working on weekends or after 6PM any day.
Dislikes (Internships): All the internships and jobs are needed to be found off-campus. You need to make connections and apply online to internships. Also, proximity to a tech hub matters a lot in jobs and internships. Gainesville is a small college town and Florida has no major tech hubs. This makes it difficult for students of the University of Florida to find jobs/internships. The available internships are relevant to computer Science, but there is tough competition.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 530
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 80000
H
Harsh Gupta
M.S. in Computer Science - Batch of 2026
3.9
Earn your opportunities at this top public school.
Tips: I had a smooth transition, find friends to hang out otherwise it can get lonely. There is a 4,500 USD Scholarship for all engineers, which is great. I'm satisfied with the college, not so with the country in terms of job prospects. My experience is difficult, which won't change unless I get a job.
Likes (Public transportation): Bus is available to all students free of cost. Multiple bus routes cover the town. Uber and Lyft are also available, and we can get Lyft passes as a student. It is convenient, and the bus connects off campus to the campus.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Many of the seniors graduated without jobs and are struggling to find. However, the market is not great anywhere in the USA. The location of Gainesville is a major disadvantage for small tech companies does not matter for big tech companies. Tough to crack.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1000
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 100000
A
Anonymous
M.S. in Computer Science - Batch of 2026
3.3
University of Florida, Computer Science experience.
Tips: It is a budget friendly college. You can find ways to reduce expenses further via part-time. Finding jobs is purely based on your skill level and not university reputation. But I would suggest UF highly in terms of the ROI because once you find a job, you can pay back the tuition in no time.
Likes (Part time work): Dining part-time is easy to find. They pay roughly 15 dollars hourly. There are other better paying opportunities like working under a professor. That can add to your experience and will pay you better. But most of them are on AI/ML focused. So if you have a good background, you have better chances of getting one.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Campus career fair are limited. Amongst off campus employers, UF is an average college. But you can always upskill and apply for better opportunities. Local companies are the ones who usually show up for career fair. Are the conversion is very less.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 725
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 80275
A
Anonymous
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering - Batch of 2026
4.4
Good university with a slight location disadvantage.
Tips: A good number of Indian students are around. 4 to 5 Indian restaurants around. We can rent cars to go to other places. For us, they gave 1500 dollars for 3 semesters per semester so a scholarship of 4500 was offered.
Likes (Value for money): Good education for lesser tuition fee in comparison with other universities. The tuition fee for the course is perfectly justified. For the quality of education that is being provided especially for ECE, this is a good university, minus the location disadvantage.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): There are enough number of companies, but not a lot of people got placed this year. People got internships, but due to the new rule, there is a slight discrepancy in how people are getting placed. However, people managed to get co ops and internships here and there.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 600
Prepping time for classes22 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
M.S. in Artificial Intelligence Systems (MSAIS) - Batch of 2027
4.7
Top tier budget friendly fun and academically oriented university.
Tips: People are really friendly and if you come as a student here then try to reach out more and be more extroverted if you can. There are scholarships for students to have ease in studying and not have to think much about finances.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Faculty members are very friendly and always ready to answer even the basic of questions. Try to keep a fun environment and teach in a way that every student can understand. Varied diversity in terms of nationality. This welcoming culture is powerfully amplified by the university's rich tapestry of global diversity.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): The University of Florida earn a strong rating of 4 out of 5 for post study jobs due to its excellent academic reputation, powerful career support services and strong recruitment pipelines, particularly within the state. However, for international students requiring visa sponsorship path is more competitive. The primary challenge is not a lack of opportunity but the specific hurdle of securing employers willing to navigate the H1B visa process. Salary packages are highly competitive, reflecting UF stature as a top public university for example graduates in engineering and computer Science often command starting salaries ranging from $80000 to over $110000 while business and Science graduates can expert packages between $65000 and $85000, with these figure often including valuable benefits and bonuses. Ultimately while a UF degree is a significant assets that open doors to a vast network of leading companies, international student must proactively leveraged career services and target the specific employers with a proven history of sponsorship to successfully launch their US career.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 650
Prepping time for classes15 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
M.S. in Artificial Intelligence Systems (MSAIS) - Batch of 2026
3.6
Don't come to the US if you have to take a loan.
Tips: Satisfied with the course and university but not with the country or people. Often hear about gunshots, which makes us scared to go out at times however never been a victim of one, and I walk daily after dinner for an hour or so around my neighbourhood and it is safe and alive.
Likes (Part time work): On UF the dining is filled with Indians mainly Telugu States. You get paid the minimum state wage + 1.5 USD for weekends and late hours. F1 people will easily get 20 hours. Many roles are open under Proof too for a better and white-collar-ed but mostly end up as internal hires. Competition is strong, but opportunities are equally good.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): There is a new rule from Trump every day. It is a mayhem. I would suggest the US for those who have no loans on their head. If you have a financial status where you HAVE TO take a loan to study in the USA, think again. Choose Germany or Singapore or Japan.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 500
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 100000
A
Anisa Shaik
M.S. in Computer Science - Batch of 2026
4.2
Great academic experience with supportive community and affordable education.
Tips: The weather in Gainesville is quite similar to indian weather. There is no snowfall but summers can be quite hot and humid. The cultural shift is minimal since there is a large indian community which the transition smoother and helps us feel at home. I received the academic excellence scholarship, which offers $1500 per semester up to 3 semesters. It is awarded to all international students admitted to UF. The only drawback is that Gainesville is not a major city, so there are few local internship opportunities compared to metropolitan areas.
Likes (Value for money): UF is one of the top rated public universities in the U. S, offering excellent academic quality, resources and opportunities at an affordable cost. Considering the value of education, faculty expertise and campus facilities the tuition fee is justified.
Dislikes (Internships): Many of them, especially in the fields of security or government related projects require U. S. citizenship, which limits eligibility for international students. University career connections do provide enough direction and suggestions in terms of career pathways. Internships are relevant to the field of study.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1100
Prepping time for classes21 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 90000
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Information Systems and Operations Management - Batch of 2026
4.8
It's good but everything can change over the course of time. Academically it's fine.
Tips: There was a drastic cultural shift. It's not as easy as it seems while we're staying with our families back in our home country. We've to do everything on our own. The one most important thing that can make your life easier is your friends. So make a lot and more importantly make good friends. There wasn't any scholarship for my course. The university is fine, coursework is also good, could've been great, but it's good, country is also fine in its own aspects.
Likes (Student Life): The library is open 24/7 which makes it easier for students to access it accordingly. There are a lot of events organised but what I like the most is gatornights in which they've a specific theme for every week. Last week was Halloween which was sponsored by WhatsApp.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): There are a bunch of companies that offer sponsorship visas for work. But as you go into specific fields, the number may vary. However the largest would be IT companies that offer visas and high end packages for roles like Computer Science, full sack developed, software developed.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 600
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 85275
A
Anonymous
MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering - Batch of 2026
4.3
Charges lowest tuition fees and offers free public transportation.
Tips: Transition should be smooth specially if you come from Metropolitan or surrounding suburbs. As it's a university town you will come across many people from different countries/continents. The university offers a scholarship of 4500 USD spanning 3 terms. The university doesn't train you much while giving you enough time to enjoy your other endeavours. The course is pretty loose in my opinion, but it entirely depends on how you use the resources. As of now, the US isn't the best place to get your Masters but it offers a large chunk of opportunities and pays you worth your time.
Likes (Public transportation): Campus is well connected with the rest of the city via Gainesville RTS, which is the public bus transportation system of the town. Only public transportation is the buses offered by GRTS. For students, they do not charge anything as the system is funded by the university.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): The chances are moderate as of now. If you bring value they are sure to let you settle down for work. The current government doesn't seem to favour the international students so much so that factor should be kept in mind. I would love to work here at least till I pay off my debts entirely, but I am not bent on immigrating here completely.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 850
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 84450
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Arts - Batch of 2025
4
Great value for money and a great experience.
Tips: I didn't experience much of a cultural shift. I got a scholarship since I was the Florida president. The scholarship paid for all of my tuition, thankfully.
Likes (Student Life): I made good friends and had good company. Several events are organized and there are several clubs and communities on campus like the Indian Students Association. Other clubs available include the Indian Graduate Student Association, Sikh Student Association, ISKCON Share Krishna temple, Hindu YUVA, as well as Gator Bhangra. These are just a few.
Dislikes (Public transportation): Buses are free with student tuition. The campus is connected well with the city, but with the bus routes being long and lengthy, it takes a while to get around places and it isn't the most reliable.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2125
Prepping time for classes22 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering - Batch of 2026
3.8
It is great to be a Florida Gator.
Tips: Be ready to race the Florida climate, it can be unpredictable. Be prepared to learn a plethora of topics from math to engineering to economics to data analytics. Have a well-planned strategy to spend time here wisely. Use every opportunity to develop personally and professionally, clubs, networking events, career fair, conferences, sports teams, on-campus part-time jobs, etc., you never know who you'll meet. Learn about the culture and languages used here. The South is way more diverse and rooted than it gets the buck for. Embrace the Gator Spirit and uphold the Gator Engineering values.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 500
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 80000
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Applied Data Science - Batch of 2026
4.8
Univeristy of Florida - Go Gators
Tips: No cultural shift as such, pretty easy to be honest. I had a 1500 scholarship for each semester. They made sure I am comfortable with my studies, internships and other aspects of a Masters degree.
Likes (Internships): I interned at Amazon as a data scientist so I think there are multiple job opportunities available. Also, there are multiple career fairs during each semester so which helps. Also there is an internal career website for Uf students so which helps as well in finding internships and assistantships.
Dislikes (Indian Food): I prefer cooking, though there are multiple Indian restaurants available nearby. Also there were multiple takeaway restaurants with a variety of indian food available lot of indian grocery stores, so it never felt like I was missing out on my home food.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 525
Prepping time for classes11 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 150000
Views on Iowa State University campus
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Batch of 2026
Offered by Iowa State University
3.6
Friendly and welcoming people.
Tips: I would tell anyone planning on pursuing their education here to come with an open mind. Iowa State is pretty unconventional in a lot of ways, but studying here has its benefits as well. Even though society is more individualistic here, there are plenty of student communities. The admission process is very straightforward, and if you have a few good letters of recommendation and good test scores, you can try applying for scholarships if needed.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2925
Prepping time for classes31 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 72100
A
Anonymous
Master of Business Administration - Batch of 2026
Offered by Iowa State University
3.9
Do not come to this university if you have no scholarship.
Tips: This place has been pretty transformative, personally speaking, but I would not recommend coming here without an adequate scholarship. Moreover, there are no more job prospects for international students or immigrants here, so you ought to plan according. Professors reward participation and take their feedback seriously, as this will help you in the long run. Once you graduate, the college has little to no further involvement, so you will have to fend for yourself.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 3250
Prepping time for classes34 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 75950
A
Anonymous
MS in Statistics - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
3.7
It is difficult to find part-time jobs especially for international students.
Tips: I had to learn to fend for myself after coming here, which is expected from most, but I would advise you to double-check all your essentials, especially when it comes to utilities and dedication, as you would be in a bind if you try to rely on healthcare while in college.
Dislikes (Part time work): Part-time jobs are difficult for international students as a whole because of all the restrictions placed with regard to permits and legality. There used to be more openings up until a few years ago, which have closed down. You can possibly help out on campus.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2350
Prepping time for classes33 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
R
Ridhima
M.A. in political science - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
3.9
Iowa State University is an underrated yet good place to plan for your higher studies.
Tips: Iowa State University is an underrated yet good place to plan for your higher studies. The lifestyle is calmer and more slow-paced than other colleges, and you can also expect to be a little on the outskirts of the city, but I feel this adds to the charm of the place. Living is quite affordable, and the faculty is very passionate and helpful. I feel I have made the right choice.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 3075
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 70550
C
Chinmayi Gudi
M.S in Chemical Engineering - Batch of 2026
Offered by Iowa State University
4.3
Iowa State University: A research institute that deserves more recognition.
Tips: This is a research-focused institute where you will find students from all over the world. They provide ample scholarships and on-campus working opportunities. The people here are great and extremely supportive. They will go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable. Overall, I am satisfied with my experience here.
Likes (Public transportation): I found the local public transportation system to be very convenient for travel within the city. Buses start at around 6 in the morning and go on till 10 PM. There is excellent connectivity between different parts of the campus town.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): The career fair here mainly targets Bachelor's and Masters degree students. Companies that sponsor visas and support international students are marked separately for ease of locating them. Several companies sponsor visas and support a comfortable lifestyle.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 950
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 77500
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
3
A transition to the new environment and culture shift.
Tips: Moving to a new country was quite difficult. The cultural shift was huge I had to adapt to new social norms, academic expectations and even different daily routines. However I found that choosing my friends and major makes a huge difference so just make sure to choose your friends wisely.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 575
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
S
Sohan Appalabhaktula
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
3.1
A good public college with an excellent course and faculty.
Tips: Before joining this college students should know that there is a culture shift as the diversity in the college is very low compared to others. I received a scholarship of $11,000 a year just before registering for the college for SAT scoring and grades. I am satisfied with my university course for the most part as it is well made.
Likes (Student Life): I spend my day in college mainly doing homework and then socializing with my friends. What I enjoy the most about my college life is being able to meet new people from different parts of the world. There are many events on campus, including multicultural events. The campus is enjoyable and is not too stressful.
Dislikes (Part time work): On campus jobs are very limited for anything other than dining center jobs. Off campus opportunities are good as there are many stores and companies situated around campus that allow students to work with little to no experience. Part time work is typically easy to manage as hours can be personally chosen to match the schedule. The average payout for part time work is around $12-$13 per hour.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 300
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
BS in Apparel Merchandising, Design - Batch of 2027
Offered by Iowa State University
4.2
Food options are not too good.
Tips: I personally feel, that students should know that it's okay to come without a very clear idea in terms of academics since a lot of people come as open major or switch later. Know your interests, be involved, find your people, and find a good balance in academics and activities.
Likes (Part time work): I recently got a part-time job at Iowa State and I really enjoy it. My manager is really helpful and cooperative. I do find managing my academics and part-time work quite easy. The average payout is $15 per hour for 10-20 hrs per week. There are a lot of opportunities on campus, but it's necessary to apply on time.
Dislikes (Indian Food): I personally do not like the food options at Iowa State. I wish there could be more Indian food preferences. Throughout the week I find myself eating out a lot which is quite unhealthy. I find the dining hall food to be stale a lot of the time and I wish they could work on that.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 300
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Accounting - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
4.3
Learning to balance school life
Tips: This school is very fun, but you need to make sure you have a good balance between academics and extracurricular. There is definitely a culture shift as you have a lot more freedom. I did get some private scholarships through the Iowa State scholarship portals.
Likes (Part time work): There are a lot of on-campus jobs as well as businesses off-campus for jobs. It is very manageable to work on campus while studying. We get $12/hour. Working on campus allows you to study and work at the same time as many jobs allow students to do that.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): It is still pretty difficult for F1 visa holders to find permanent jobs here. There are some opportunities, but I don't think the school does a great job of helping you find permanent jobs here especially based on your major. You really need to be a stem major to land a permanent job.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2000
Prepping time for classes15 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
N
Nehal Sankaranthi
BA in Womens and Gender Studies - Batch of 2024
Offered by Iowa State University
2.5
Internship are available but doesn't pay well.
Tips: Dietary acculturation is common - a sudden change in diet and nutrients based on what is available to you can be tricky to deal with. Scope out your local multicultural food options through additional grocery stores and food pantries to help find food items closer to ones from home!
Likes (Internships): There are some internships available but the pay is low or it is only available for academic credit with no other compensation - internships are hard to find without the proper support from advisors and connections. Finding internships is only possible through extensive time of research and using connections.
Dislikes (Indian Food): There is only one Indian restaurant that is average in quality and does not have much variety in terms of cuisine - it is a little pricy as well. There is a grocery store with some meal options that are alright but not the most authentic for Indian food.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 400
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
3.4
Many ups, many downs, stressful, but decent
Tips: I was very homesick when I first came to Iowa State. I learned by putting myself around people by joining extracurriculars helped me a lot. Also, finding good study space, eating well, staying fit and taking care of yourself helps a lot. I am decently satisfied with the university.
Likes (Internships): I have not had any guidance from the university in terms of internships. My elder sister was the one who I looked to for guidance. The available internships now in my new college (CALS) are very much relevant to Industrial Technology. Also, my advisors are very helpful with internships.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): I have enjoyed every job that I have worked at as a student; my only thing is that I found the jobs by doing thorough research myself & not through help from the university. They can definitely be better at helping their students through communication.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1500
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
S
Shreshta Anupindi
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Batch of 2027
Offered by Iowa State University
3.1
Public transportation is amazing.
Tips: Students usually tend to have an idea of how they want to be in college but most of us go through different transitions in university. I have changed compared to what I was in high school and I try to be equally invested in academics and co-curriculum. Most of the students get a merit scholarship and there are more scholarships, differing based on different colleges and each one has a different requirement. You can track these through OneApp Iowa State and it is highly recommended to keep an eye on it so they don't get full.
I am satisfied with my academics and college life until now.
Likes (Public transportation): There is free bus transportation for ISU students in most parts of the city. There are a lot of buses running on different routes throughout the day which takes you to most of the places that students mostly visit and it is free for all students. There are also rental cars available for students but they have certain requirements such as age and a valid license. There are bus services that go from Games to different states nearby like Minnesota or Chicago which are affordable if booked in time.
Dislikes (Indian Food): There is only one Indian restaurant in the area and it is very rare to find Indian food in dining centres. Cooking in the dorms is hard, we do it once in a while but it is definitely easier off campus in apartments. I would prefer home food but since it is hard to do it every day while living in dorms, we rely mostly on dining food or ordering from outside.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 675
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
S
Sushant Chiramana
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
4.1
College of opportunity for a bright future
Tips: Personally, I have had a proper transition after coming here as the university has conducted various events and orientations to familiarize me with the university events before coming here. The city is culturally diverse hence giving freedom to anyone to explore their own or other cultures. It is easy to receive scholarships through the college website named "OneApp" where different opportunities are present to help pay for your tuition. I have used these opportunities during my time here. Overall, I am very satisfied with my time at Iowa State because of the friends and connections I have made here inside and outside my course. My course has helped me develop various skills, social and technical.
Likes (Part time work): There is availability of on-campus jobs in every department and off-campus opportunities are very well presented from restaurants to supermarkets to different research and tutoring. Depending on the work schedules, it can be easy to manage both academics and work at the same time.
Dislikes (Indian Food): There are various options for different restaurants near campus. Fast food, Mexican, and different Asian foods are really good. It is difficult to find good Indian food in Ames. There are really good Indian restaurants outside of Ames, but computing outside of Ames can be a little difficult. I normally prefer to cook myself in my apartments.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 950
Prepping time for classes41 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
T
Tejal Devshetwar
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering - Batch of 2024
Offered by Iowa State University
4.1
A good college for the cost paid
Tips: Transition is difficult for a week to adjust to how assignment submissions work, the method of teaching, and more importantly how the semester is planned. Other than that everything felt easy. I am satisfied with my university and the curriculum here as well. Scholarships are available on OneApp and a lot of them are open to international students. I felt it was comparatively cheaper than other colleges.
Likes (Public transportation): Free public transportation for university students. The bus goes around in the whole city and to a lot of main locations like Walmart, and malls. Buses are on time and the schedule is visible on Google Maps as well. We just need to show our i-cars and we don't need to pay each time. We mostly use the bus to travel everywhere. Overall it is great.
Dislikes (Indian Food): Only one restaurant for Indian food. Even the food quality is average. People with spice tolerance may not have that many options. The next restaurant available is in Des Moines. But they do have many options for Indian food. There are a total of 10 vegetarian dishes for the restaurant in Games.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 900
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 72875
T
Tanvi M
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
4.2
Embracing Excellence: The Iowa State University Experience
Tips: Before joining Iowa State University students should know about diverse programs vibrant campus life and research focus. The transition involved adapting to Midwestern culture. Scholarships based on merit or need provide significant financial support. Highly satisfied with the university course and country.
Likes (Part time work): I rated 5 on part-time work due to plentiful opportunities on and off campus including roles like programmes and undergraduate research assistants. Balancing work and academics is manageable. The average payout is good offering financial support.
Dislikes (Indian Food): Very limited Indian restaurants. In the locality there's only one Indian restaurant with average quality. Prices vary but it's generally affordable. I prefer cooking at home for more variety and control over ingredients.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 900
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 77000
R
Rao Kumar
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering - Batch of 2024
Offered by Iowa State University
4.8
Paradise: A Heaven for Personal and Acedemic growth
Tips: It would be great if students coming here have LinkedIn and have some experience they want to showcase to get an on-campus job. Have a good relationship with the lecturers as they help you a lot, especially in getting the Teaching and Research assistants jobs. Learn how to cook as it saves lots of money.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2400
Prepping time for classes31 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
3.5
Different experience but worth it.
Tips: If you are coming from a different country, this college is going to be a bit of a culture shock and it will take some time to sink in. Do apply for scholarships do not miss out on any (they are very important). Always keep an eye on OneApp and their opening for scholarships. It is a great university, definitely worth checking out.
Likes (Part time work): It is easier to find an on-campus job and work part-time along with studies. Since there is not much competition with on-campus jobs it is not stressful at all. It pays you enough to live by yourself and I think it is pretty decent to manage housing and food expenses.
Dislikes (Internships): There is a good amount of guidance in terms of job search and career fairs on campus. There are university portals like (cyhire) and advice from professionals to approach the job search. But, being an international student it is indeed, hard to find a job. It is definitely not impossible but you have to put in a lot of time and effort to find the right job and the right company.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 200
Prepping time for classes18 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 82900
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Business Analytics - Batch of 2025
Offered by Iowa State University
3.8
Vast campus, myriad opportunities!
Tips: I was pretty much prepared that there were going to be a lot of new things here which might not be as common as they are back at home. One thing that people could find different would be the idea of individuals. Most of the people here are by themselves and self-reliant. I have definitely transitioned a lot and become a much more confident and independent person. One thing to remember is to come here with an open and acceptable mind. For international students, there are a lot of scholarship opportunities, so do not miss out on those. There would be different sits for scholarships and it is possible that different colleges provide different scholarships specifically for their students so be proactive and always keep an eye on those. The university is great and I go to a college which is ranked well and my coursework seems equally interesting since there is a variety of different things that I always learn.
Likes (Public transportation): The university has buses going across the city which are free for all Iowa State Students. Even for non-students, every bus ride can be as cheap as only $1! These buses run starting early in the morning and going till later at night, and even when there are no buses, there are a couple of other different options to travel which are free for all students.
Dislikes (Internships): University has a career fair every semester where recruiters from different companies come to the university and the students get to talk to them one-on-one. This helps students to know different companies, what they provide, what they expect, etc. International students have a hard time finding internships or jobs since not every company sponsors them. Constant rejections can make students doubt themselves but don't worry because after a while we all get used to it, but don't give up either! It might take time but you will surely find something for yourself at some point, we all do!
Since I am a business analytics major with an economics minor, I do have different options open for me, but again restrictions like finding sponsorship makes it hard to find the right company. All I do is keep trying. Another tip for all new students would be to make as many connections as possible. Career fair might not be interesting for everyone, but just go to them and network as much as you can and talk to recruiters, know them well, connect with them on linkedin, follow them up on emails. Networking and making new connections can help find jobs so much more than we think it can!
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 650
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
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