Enter course, college, country or exam

Contact Us
LoginSign Up
Iowa State University
Video Play Icon10 Videos,
20 Photos
Iowa State University Logo

Iowa State University Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

Map Pin IconAmes, Iowa, USA
Star Icon3.8 /5
Comment Icon1.9k Student Q&A
Shiksha popularity ranking
Info Icon

#377 in World

#72 in USA

View ranking details Link Arrow Icon
Plan your Finances
livingCost IconEstimate living cost in Ames
Check now
Rupee Coin Icon1292 Scholarships for studying in USA
Check now
  • Institute Icon1900 acre campus
  • Estd. 1858
Talk to Expert IconTalk to Expert
Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 9 Apr '26

Iowa State University Admissions
What's new?

Accordion Icon V3

Planning to apply to Iowa State University? Admission 2026-27 are now open. Check out this space for admission requirements.

Iowa State University Admissions
Table of contents
Accordion Icon V3

Iowa State University Admissions 2026

Accordion Icon V3

Admissions Requirements for Iowa State University

Accordion Icon V3

Iowa State University Admission Process 2025

Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State?
A: 

International students who wish to study at Iowa State must have at least GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission. International transfer applicants must have a minimum equivalent GPA of C+ on a scale of A to F or 2.25 on a 4.0 scale for all transferable courses.

Q:   I've got admission offers for Bachelors in aerospace engineering from Arizona University and Iowa State. Which one should I choose?
A: 

The University of Arizona and Iowa State University are among the top universities to study Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering in the USA. They offers quality eductaion and better career oppurtunities to graduates. Mentioned below is the comparision between Arizona University and Iowa State for a Bachelor in Aerospace Engineering:

Universities1st Year Tuition FeesAcceptance Rate
Arizona UniversityINR 34.37 L88%
Iowa StateINR 23.15 L90%

As per the above data, Iowa is better than Arizona in terms of tuition fees to study BS in Aerospace Engineering. 

Iowa State University MS Admission 2025

49 courses 1 year - 4 years
Accordion Icon V3
icon
₹ 26.1L - 49.1L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • 10+2 with 50% aggregate
  • Accepting Exams: TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, IELTS, GRE
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On MS Admissions
Q:   What are the admission requirements for Iowa State University MS in Information Systems?
A: 

International students must complete a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with a qualifying GPA to study Iowa MS in Information Systems. Mentioned below are the Iowa State University requirements for international students for MS in Information Systems admission:

  • A 4-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • Academic transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • English language proficiency score
  • GMAT / GRE score is not needed
  • Financial Statement
Q:   What GPA do you need to get into Iowa State University for MS in CS?
A: 

International students must meet the Iowa GPA requirements to get admission to MS in Computer Science program. Mentioned below is the general Iowa State University requirements for MS in CS admission-

  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • A 4-year’s bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • Academic records / transcripts
  • English language proficiency score: TOEFL iBT: 79 / IELTS: 6.5 / PTE: 53 / Duolingo: 105
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Financial Statement

Check more details about MS in CS in USA from here

Q:   Is GRE required for Iowa State University MS in CS?
A: 

As a programme requirement for Iowa State University MS in CS, GRE score is needed. However, for Spring 2024 and earlier, GRE waivers are automatically considered when evaluating pre-applications. No separate waivers are required for this. From Fall 2024, the applicants who meet the criteria on the Computer Science Department’s Graduate Admissions website may submit a waiver request.

View course details







How to apply to Iowa State University?

Accordion Icon V3
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Application Process
Q:   What is the deadline to apply to Iowa State University?
A: 

Iowa State has a rolling admissions policy, which means that the university evaluates applications when they receive them, and not after a deadline date. Mentioned below are the Iowa State application deadline for PG admissions: 

PG deadline: Varies for most programs

 
Q:   How much is the application fee for Iowa State University?
A: 

Iowa State University application fee vary as per the application type for International students. Mentioned below are the application fee for Iowa application:

Programs

Application fee for International Students

Undergraduates  (prior to fall 2025):

USD 50 or INR 4,181

Undergraduates  (fall 2025 and after):

USD 65 or INR 5435.30

Graduates

USD 100 or INR 8,362.20

Non-Degree  (prior to fall 2025):

USD 40 or INR 3,344.8

Non-Degree  (fall 2025 and after):

USD 55 or INR 4,599.1

Veterinary Medicine

USD 80 or INR 6,689.6

 (USD 1 = INR 83.62)

Check the list of USA Universities with No Application Fees

Q:   How long does it take to get admission to Iowa State?
A: 

After submitting the application the Iowa State admission committee will review the application for admission on the basis of documents that applicants provide. A decision may require several weeks as it depends on the time of year the applicant submits the application (Applications submitted right before the deadline require a much longer processing time due to the volume of applications received then.). Applicants will receive an admission offer letter and the I-20 Form if admitted.

Iowa State University Enrollment Statistics 2025

Accordion Icon V3
Q&A Icon
Commonly asked questions
On Admission
Q:   What are the admission requirements for Iowa State University?
A: 

Iowa State University requirements vary by programme type for international students. Mentioned below are the Iowa State University admission requirements for International students:

Iowa University UG entry requirements:

·      Must complete a high-school or its equivalent

·      A minimum equivalent ACT/

·      The ACT/SAT is optional for ISU admission for international applicants. Applicants may choose whether or not to submit ACT/SAT scores if they have them.

·      Submit English proficiency exam results

·      Transcripts of all high schools or universities attended

·      Provide a Bank statement or sponsor letter showing USD 46,000, equivalent to one year’s expenses

·      Copy of passport, and visa (if available)

Iowa University PG entry requirements:

·      Iowa State requires a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university before beginning graduate studies

·      International degrees must be comparable to a US bachelor’s degree or higher from a college or university regionally accredited/recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country

·      A minimum cumulative grade point average equivalent to at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B grade) is required for PG admission

·      Meet the English proficiency requirements of your program

·      Submit a Letters of Recommendation (LOR)

·      Three essays (numbers vary by programs)

Q:   Is it hard to get into Iowa State?
A: 

ISU University has received 22,995 applications among which 5,859 get admission offers for the fall of 2023-24. Iowa State acceptance rate is around 90%, which means out of 100 applications 90 get admission. Therefore, it is not hard to get into Iowa State University for International students.

Iowa State University
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.8/5
Verified Icon18 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 17% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Academically oriented
Friendly
Multi-dimensional
Sporty
Internships3.6
Part time work3.7
Post study jobs3.8
Quality of faculty4.2
Student Life4.1
Value for money3.6
Public transportation4.3
Safety4.1
Indian Food2.9
Permanent Immigration3.4
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Business Administration - Batch of 2026
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
Reviewed on 29 May 2025Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
R
Ridhima Verified Icon
M.A. in political science - Batch of 2025
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
Reviewed on 29 May 2025Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
C
Chinmayi Gudi Verified Icon
M.S in Chemical Engineering - Batch of 2026
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
Reviewed on 15 Nov 2024Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2025
3.0
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
Reviewed on 11 Jun 2024Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
S
Sohan Appalabhaktula Verified Icon
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering - Batch of 2025
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
Reviewed on 7 Jun 2024Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
BS in Apparel Merchandising, Design - Batch of 2027
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
Reviewed on 1 May 2024Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
View All 18 Reviews
Right Arrow Icon

Iowa State University Admissions 2024 FAQs

Q:   How much is Iowa State University tuition fee per year?
A: 

Iowa State University tuition fees for international students are given below:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

BE / BTech (20 courses)

INR 21.4 L - 26.2 L

BBA (14 courses)

INR 21.4 L - 24.2 L

BA (11 courses)

INR 21.4 L - 22.5 L

BJMC (4 courses)

INR 21.4 L - 22.5 L

B.Arch (2 courses)

INR 21.4 L - 22.9 L

BFA (2 courses)

INR 21.4 L - 22.5 L

MS (46 courses)

INR 21.5 L - 34.9 L

BSc (29 courses)

INR 21.4 L - 22.5 L

MA (12 courses)

INR 20.2 L - 24.2 L

MIM (3 courses)

INR 24.2 L - 42.4 L

MBA/PGDM (1 course)

INR 27.6 L

Living Expenses 

Undergraduate Students

  • Living Expenses: USD 15,575 (Around INR 13 lakh)

Cost of Living for Graduate Students (Estimated Expenses)

Particulars

Graduate Students

Food & Housing

USD 10,018 (Around INR 8 lakh)

Books, Course Materials, Supplies & Equipment

USD 1,091 (Around INR 90k)

Expected Personal Expenses

USD 6,000 (Around INR 5 lakh)

Also Read: Cost of Living in USA for International Students 

Q:   What are the requirements for admission to Iowa State University for a student from India?
A: 

Iowa State University requirements vary by programme for Indian students. Mentioned below are the admission criteria for Undergraduate and graduate admission at Iowa State:

Iowa State requirements for UG admission:

  • Complete a high-school degree in a relevent descipline
  • A minimum equivalent GPA of B or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • ISU is 'test-optional'. The ACT/SAT is not required for admission to ISU for international applicants. Applicants may choose whether or not to submit ACT/SAT scores if they have them

Iowa State requirements for PG admission:

  • A bachelor’s or higher degree 
  • A minimum GPA of at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B grade) is required for admission
  • Meet the English proficiency requirements of the Graduate College and the graduate program
  • There is no requirement for the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score; however, most programs do require one or the other.
Q:   Is GRE required for Iowa State University?
A: 

There is no university-wide requirement that graduate applicants of Iowa State University are required to submit the results of GRE or GMAT. However, most of the programs do require one of these exams.

Q:   What are the requirements for Iowa State University?
A: 

Iowa State University requirements for Indian students are given below:

Undergraduate Applicants

Minimum Academic Requirements

A minimum equivalent GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 scale or B is required for Iowa State University admissions to undergraduate courses

  • General Scale: 50%
  • India School Certificate: 6 on a scale of 1-9
  • CBSE / CCE: B2 on a scale of A1 to E2
  • National Institute of Open Schooling SSSE: 61 out of 100, D on a scale of A-I, or Good

Admission Decision

  • An admission decision of Iowa State University may be based on the transcripts for the 3 years before the final year of high school along with other supporting documents

Other Details

  • The applicants are required to achieve the Higher Secondary Certificate, or its equivalent, and submit complete final official transcripts confirming the completion of high school along with Class 10 and 12 board exam results

Standardized exam scores

  • ACT / SAT test scores (Optional policy)

Minimum High School preparation

  • 4 years of native language
  • 3 years of Mathematics (Including beginning algebra, geometry and advanced algebra)
  • 3 years of Science (Including 2 years of courses that focused on Biology, Chemistry or Physics elements)
  • 2 years of Social Studies (3 years of applicants to ISU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences)
  • Applicants to majors in the LAS and Engineering colleges should have 2 years of a single foreign language (English can be used if its not the native language)

Graduate Applicants

  • A bachelor’s or higher degree
  • International degrees must be comparable to the US bachelor’s degree or higher degree
  • 3 years degree from India, Canada (excluding Quebec), Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan are not accepted. 3-year degrees from other countries will be reviewed on an individual basis)
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required for Iowa State University admission
Q:   Does Iowa State University give full scholarships for international students?
A: 

Iowa State University scholarships are available for first-year International students on the basis of their merit. Scholarship selection is competitive based on a holistic review of SAT or ACT scores and high school marks/grades. Students must complete the ‘OneApp scholarship application’ to apply for the award. Mentioned below are the popular Iowa State scholarships:

International Merit Scholarship (Spring and Fall)

Amount

Award of Achievement

Up to INR 33.44 L (INR 4.18 L/yr – INR 8.36 L/yr)

Award of Distinction

Up to INR 13.37 L (INR 1.67 L/yr – INR 3.34 L/yr)

Q:   What is the deadline to apply for MBA admissions at Iowa State University?
A: 

Applicants can apply for Professional (part-time) admission in the fall, spring, or summer intake. Mentioned below are the ISU MBA admission deadlines for part-time study:

Intakes

Application Deadlines

Fall

15 Jun, 2025

Spring

15 Nov, 2025

Summer

closed

Q:   Does Iowa State University accept Duolingo English Test?
A: 

Yes, Iowa State University accepts Duolingo test scores as proof of English language proficiency for admission to both undergraduate and graduate courses. The score required in Duolingo as well as Iowa State University IELTS requirement details are given below:

Tests

Undergraduate Courses

Graduate Courses

TOEFL iBT

71 overall, with a minimum score of 17 in both Writing & Speaking sections

79

TOEFL PBT

530

550

IELTS

6.0 overall, with a minimum band score of 5.5

6.5

PTE

48

53

Duolingo

100 overall

105

Q:   What are the things that every freshman starting at Iowa State University know?
A: 

Some of the things that freshman students starting at Iowa State University must know are: 

  • Check out the local parks, shop downtown and interact with the locals
  • Volunteer
  • Go to ISU Sporting events
  • Develop social skills
  • Get a job as the applicants will need some experience on their resume
Q:   Is Iowa State University good for international students?
A: 

Iowa State University is a major international teaching and research university that emphasizes Science and Technology while valuing Arts and Humanities. The international reputation of Iowa State University draws students from all over the world. During the Fall Semester 2018, the number of international students enrolled at ISU was above 3,500. There are eight colleges of Iowa State University namely:

  • Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Design
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Graduate
  • Human Science (Formerly Education and Family and Consumer Sciences)

Also Read: Top Reasons to Study in the USA

qna

Comments

qna

Iowa State University

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

How many programs does Iowa State University have?

Answered a week ago

Iowa State University degree programs attracts students from all over the world. The Iowa State University programs features more than 100 UG, over 350 PG, and around 85+ doctoral programs for its international students. Iowa State University popular programs include Engineering, Business, Mechanica

...Read more

N

Nishtha Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Who are the famous personalities that went to Iowa State University?

Answered a week ago

Iowa State University alumni network features over 284,000 members from all over the globe. A few famous personalities that went to Iowa State University are listed below-

  • Lee Teng-hui
  • Luis Ernesto Derbez
  • Theaster Gates
  • Fred Hoiberg
  • Dan Gable
  • Kim Reynolds
  • Georges Niang

R

Rachit Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

How many alumni does Iowa State University have?

Answered a week ago

Iowa State University vast alumni network features 284,000+ alumni members worldwide. Some famous personalities that went to Iowa State University are Clayton Anderson, George Washington Carver, Henry Agard Wallace, LeRoy E. Cain, Dennis Muilenburg, etc.

P

Pallavi Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

What is the ranking of Iowa State University in the world?

Answered a week ago

Iowa State University is one of the finest universities in the world. As per Shiksha Popularity Ranking, ISU is ranked at #377 in world and #76 in USA. Top ranking bodies all over the world ranks ISU that are listed below-

Ranking Authorities

Rank

Shiksha Popularity Rankings

#377 in world and #76 in USA

Times Higher Education 2026

#401-500 in World University Rankings

QS Rankings 2026

#449 in QS World University Rankings

US News and World Report 2026

#117 in Best National Universities

M

Manashjyoti Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

What is the average salary of Iowa State University graduates?

Answered a week ago

Iowa State University graduates are constantly in high demand worldwide. Iowa State University placement rate for UG students is over 90%, and the graduates are employed within 6 months. The average salary of Iowa State University graduates is listed below-

Course

Salary (ROI)

MBA

USD 90,000 (INR 85.08 L)

UG

USD 62,000 (INR 58.57 L)

S

Saakshi Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

author image
Akansha katariya

Study Abroad Expert

Akansha katariya is a content creator at shiksha.com, creating content for study abroad. Having pursued B tech. in Electronics and communication from RGPV University, she has been creating content across diverse domains. When not guiding students, sh... Read Full Bio
Home Icon/Study in USA/Universities in USA/Iowa/Ames/Iowa State University

Iowa State University
Take a look at Campus

Iowa State University Others(1)Front View
Iowa State University Others(2)Aerial View
Iowa State University Others(3)Lecture Hall
Iowa State University Others(1)
Iowa State University Others(2)

Iowa State University
Location

Accordion Icon V3
University CityAmes, Iowa, USA
Size of citySmall
Population of City66,191

Iowa State University
Contact Information

Address

Ames, IA 50011, United States
Ames ( Iowa)

Map Pin IconView on Map ->
Phone
515-294-4111

(For general query)

515-294-5836

(For admission query)

Email
contact@iastate.edu

(For general query)

admissions@iastate.edu

(For admission query)

Go to College Website ->