ISU or Iowa State or Iowa State University is a public land-grant research university, founded in 1858 in Ames, Iowa, USA. International students from various backgrounds all around the globe seek Iowa State University admissions due to its reputation for providing excellent programs.
When it comes to the Iowa State University rankings, the university is ranked #121 in National Universities, #61 in Top Public Schools, and #125 in Best Value Schools. Another top-ranking publisher ranked the university at #449 in the World University Rankings. The ranking shows that ISU is one of the best universities in the USA.
Iowa State University Acceptance Rate 2025
Iowa State University received over 23,000 applications from prospective students for Fall 2024, whereas the number of students admitted crossed 20,400. This suggests that the Iowa State University acceptance rate is 88.66%, making the admission criteria of the university very non-selective.
As for the number of student enrollments, a total of 5,900 students accepted the university’s admission offer, making the ISU yield rate 28.8%. The exact figures for the university’s enrollment for the admission cycle of 2023-24 and 2024-25 are given below for comparison:
Particulars
|
2023-2024
|
2024-2025
|
---|
Student Applications
|
22,995
|
23,095
|
Students Admitted
|
20,496
|
20,475
|
Acceptance Rate
|
89.13%
|
88.66%
|
Students Enrolled
|
5,859
|
5,906
|
Yield Rate
|
28.6%
|
28.8%
|
Iowa State University Acceptance Rate for International Students
When it comes to the Iowa State University international students, received almost 3,300 applications from prospective foreign students as of Fall 2024, of which the university admitted exactly 2,250 students. However, the number of student enrollments stood around 190, making the Iowa State University acceptance rate for international students 68.3%.
This is around 20% less than the general Iowa State University admission rate, meaning that the admission criteria for foreign or nonresident students are somewhat selective.
Particulars
|
Headcount
|
---|
International Student Applications
|
3,290
|
International Students Admitted
|
2,250
|
International Students Enrolled
|
189
|
Acceptance Rate
|
68.39%
|
Currently, Iowa State University houses 2,878 international students, representing around 115 nations. For Fall 2024, the number of international (nonresident) UG enrollments at the university was recorded to be 955. A more detailed breakdown of the racial makeup of the student body enrolled at ISU is given below:
Ethnic/Racial Group
|
Headcount
|
---|
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic
|
15
|
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic
|
36
|
Black or African American, non-Hispanic
|
623
|
Two or more races, non-Hispanic
|
836
|
Nonresidents
|
955
|
Asian, non-Hispanic
|
1,099
|
Race and/or ethnicity unknown
|
1,140
|
Hispanic/Latino
|
1,801
|
White, non-Hispanic
|
19,123
|
Total
|
25,628
|
Iowa State University Acceptance Rate Trends
The number of applications received by Iowa State University has increased by around 2,800 in the last five years, whereas the number of applications accepted by the university has risen by 2,500. As a result, the ISU acceptance rate has remained rather consistent over the years, ranging between 88% and 91%. This range is on the higher side, suggesting that Iowa State University admissions are not competitive.
Year
|
Application Received
|
Applications Accepted
|
Acceptance Rate
|
---|
2024-2025
|
23,095
|
20,475
|
88.6%
|
2023-2024
|
22,995
|
20,496
|
89.1%
|
2022-2023
|
21,919
|
19,776
|
90.2%
|
2021-2022
|
20,357
|
18,550
|
91.1%
|
2020-2021
|
20,223
|
17,882
|
88.4%
|
Iowa State University Requirements for International Students
International students must fulfill the eligibility requirements to take part in undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The Iowa State University requirements for international students are given below:
Undergraduate Requirements
Graduate Requirements
- A 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent
- Academic transcripts
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- English language proficiency score
- GMAT/GRE score is not mandatory
- Financial Statement
Also check Iowa State University Courses
English Language Requirements
The English language requirements for international students are given below:
English Exams Accepted
|
Minimum Score Required UG
|
Minimum Score Required PG
|
---|
TOEFL iBT
|
78 or above
|
88-100 or above
|
IELTS
|
6 or above
|
7.5 or above
|
PTE
|
48 or above
|
68 or above
|
Duolingo (DET)
|
110 or above
|
120 or above
|
Iowa State University Average GPA, SAT & ACT Scores
High school GPA plays a significant role in students’ resumes and is crucial for university admissions. However, results on the SAT or ACT are not mandatory. Students must submit these scores to increase their selection probability. The Iowa State University minimum required scores for international students are listed below:
Particulars
|
Minimum score required
|
---|
SAT
|
Between 1090 and 1350
|
ACT
|
Between 21 and 28
|
GPA
|
3.7 on a scale of 4
|
Tips to get selected at Iowa State University
The selection probability at Iowa State University is high, with an acceptance rate of 88.6%. However, students must take things seriously even if the selection criteria are easy. Students can follow a few tips to enhance their chances of selection at the university. Those tips are given below:
- Aim for a high score: Having an excellent GPA and standardized scores positively impacts a resume. Aim to score high as the university gives preference to students who score well in academics.
- Take part in activities: Join groups or activities other than the chosen course, or it will be better if the activities are relevant. It showcases the student’s interest in a particular area.
- Be physically active: Students forget to take care of their bodies while indulging in exams, activities, and more. Take good care of your body by exercising, having a balanced meal, and good enough sleep.
- Improve your English: English proficiency is one of the crucial factors in getting admission to any university abroad. Aim to score well in English proficiency tests.
Iowa State University Acceptance Rate Vs University of Buffalo Acceptance Rate
The Iowa State University acceptance rate is 88.6%, whereas the University of Buffalo acceptance rate is 74%. This shows that the selection criteria at Iowa State are less selective than the University of Buffalo. However, in both cases, students must perform excellently academically and in all terms. The factors for university admission include the English Language requirements, Standardized scores, relevant experience, essays, and more.
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