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Iowa State University Campus Life: Photos, Videos, Facilities
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Last updated on 12 Aug '25Iowa State University Campus Life
The history of Iowa State University can be traced back to 1858. The university is categorized as a public university, and the main campus of the university is located in Ames, Iowa. If we talk about the Iowa State University campus size, then it is over 1,900 acres. The ISU campus has over 160 buildings, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Iowa State University Campus Overview
There are various activities that Iowa State University students can take part in, such as athletics and recreation, clubs and organizations, etc.
- Student Clubs and Organizations: There are more than 800 student organizations at Iowa State University for students to choose from
- Housing: Iowa State University students can live on campus. First-year students can live in one of the residence halls, whereas graduate students can explore the designated housing options
- Art Collections and Museums: Iowa State University is home to one of the largest campus public art collections in the nation. There are university museums as well, like the Brunnier Art Museum, the Farm House Museum, and the Christian Peterson Art Museum
- Great place for nature lovers: ISU is a great place for nature lovers, as there are plenty of grass fields and tree-lined vistas. Lake LaVerne offers a place for a walk. Also, the university features Reiman Gardens
Signature Buildings: The Iowa State University campus includes several structures on its grounds. The details for some can be checked out below:
|
Area Type |
Structures |
|
Athletic and Recreational Areas |
-Athletic Fields -Baseball Diamonds -Tennis Courts -Golf Course -Recreational and Intramural Areas |
|
Special Areas |
- Ames Laboratory - Iowa State Center - Poultry Farm and Buildings - YMCA and Lynn Fuhrer Lodge - Veterinary Medicine Research Institute |
|
Laboratory |
- Aerospace Laboratory -Driver Training Laboratory - Agronomy Farm Crops Laboratory - Food Technology Laboratory - Mechanical Engineering Laboratory, etc. |
|
Halls |
- Barton Hall - Carver Hall - Lyon Hall - Curtiss Hall - Knapp and Storms Halls and Commons (Towers), etc. |
|
Storage/Shed |
- Fruit Storage Shed - Machinery and Storage Shed - Agricultural Engineering Shop and Shed - Library Storage Building - Physical Plant Storage Shed, etc. |
|
Cottage |
- Pope Cottage - Mortensen Cottage - Lincoln Way Cottage - Kildee Cottage - Horticulture Cottage, etc. |
Life of Indian Students: The Indian Students’ Association of the Iowa State University campus currently has 93 students as its members. It was formed to help the Indian origin students navigate their lives during their time at ISU. It organizes various cultural and social events to help shed more light on the Indian culture and heritage. A merry celebration of festivals like Diwali, Dandiya Night, Holi, etc., often takes place on the ISU campus under the association.
Students can also visit Campustown’s restaurants like Taste of India, featuring authentic Indian appetizers, breads, soups, beverages, and many other options for both vegetarians as well as meat lovers. The restaurant’s location is 2416 Lincoln Way and was established as a part of Campustown in 1995.
Iowa State University Student Body
Iowa has a grand total of 30,400 students enrolled on the Iowa State University campus. From the total figure, 25,600 individuals account for the undergraduate student body, whereas around 4,800 account for graduates.
A total of 2,800 students enrolled on the campus are international students, making up about 9.5% of the total enrollment, representing a total of 115 nations. India accounts for the greatest number of international enrollments. Iowa State University acceptance rate for 2025 stands at 88.6%.
|
Particulars |
Headcount |
|---|---|
|
Undergraduates |
25,628 |
|
Graduates |
4,804 |
|
Total Students |
30,432 |
|
International Students |
2,878 |
|
Countries Represented |
115 |
Also check Iowa State University admission
Iowa State University Athletics
There are various athletic and recreation facilities for students at the Iowa State University campus. At the university, a few fitness opportunities are also provided. There are intramurals and sports clubs for students. Iowa State University has a strong athletic history as a part of the Big 12 Conference.
The 16 intercollegiate athletic teams of Iowa State University are also referred to as the Iowa State Cyclones and compete in NCAA Division I. The university also has a mascot named Cy the Cardinal. Some of the sports sponsored by the university include Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Track and Field, Wrestling (Men), Volleyball (Women), Gymnastics (Women), etc.
Iowa State University Top Courses
When it comes to Iowa State University courses, it provides 100+ Bachelor's degree programs, one professional degree, more than 100 master's programs, more than 60 certificate programs, and lastly, 80+ Ph.D. programs. The university has an average freshman retention rate of 88%. Some of the popular programs at ISU, along with the percentage concentration, are given below:
|
Bachelor’s degree |
% |
Master’s degree |
% |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mechanical Engineering |
5.5% |
Information Technology |
14.1% |
|
General Marketing & Marketing Management |
5.12% |
Human Computer Interaction |
5.39% |
|
Kinesiology & Exercise Science |
3.87% |
Dietetics |
4.93% |
|
General Psychology |
3.8% |
Accounting |
4.47% |
|
General Animal Sciences |
3.59% |
Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering |
4.13% |
|
General Finance |
3.28% |
General Biomedical Sciences |
3.56% |
Iowa State University Housing
Students have the option to live in the halls and apartments that Iowa State University campus offers. A few of the halls that are available to students are Barton, Birch, Freeman, Elm, Helser, etc. The 2025-26 Iowa State University cost for housing is given below:
|
Type of Housing |
2025-26 Rates |
|---|---|
|
Barton, Lyon, Friley, Freeman, Oak, Linden, Roberts, etc. |
Double, No AC: USD 5,516 (INR 4.7L) Double, with AC: USD 5,952 (INR 5L) Single, no AC: USD 6,600 (INR 5.6L) Single, with AC: USD 7,032 (INR 6L) |
|
Wallace & Wilson |
USD 4,868 – 5,952 (INR 4.1L - 5L) |
|
Suites & Geoffroy Hall |
USD 7,300 – 8,386 (INR 6.2L - 7.1L) |
|
Frederiksen Court Apartments |
USD 5,430 – 7,359 (INR 4.6L - 6.2L) |
|
Schilletter and University Village Apartments |
USD 3,839 – 7,679 (INR 3.2L - 6.5L) |
1 USD = INR 85.50
Undergraduate and Graduate cost of attendance for international students 2025-26 :
|
Particulars |
UG International Students |
PG International Students |
|---|---|---|
|
Tuition & Fees |
USD 32,148 (INR 27.4L) |
USD 33,456 (INR 28.6L) |
|
Food & Housing (On-Campus) |
USD 10,928 (INR 9.3L) |
USD 10,928 (INR 9.3L) |
|
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment |
USD 800 (INR 68K) |
USD 800 (INR 68K) |
|
Total University Expenses |
USD 43,876 (INR 37.5L) |
- |
|
Anticipated Personal Expenses (On-Campus) |
USD 5,450 (INR 4.6L) |
USD 5,850 (INR 5L) |
|
Total Expected Cost of Attendance |
USD 49,326 (INR 42.1L) |
USD 51,034 (INR 43.6L) |
1 USD = INR 85.50
Also read about the Iowa State University Fees
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Iowa State University Campus details
1
Campus
3189
Total International Students
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Iowa State University Campus
3.7/5(17 Reviews)There is a single campus of ISU which is located in Ames, Iowa. Located on over 1900+ acres, a great campus life is offered by ISU. This includes state-of-the-art recreation facilities, student athletics, over 800 student organizations, housing, etc. Top majors at ISU are Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Education, etc.
Iowa State University photos and videos
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Iowa State University Campus Location & contact
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| University City | Ames, Iowa, USA |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 66,191 |
Iowa State University accommodation
- Iowa State University offers on-campus accommodation to its students through four Halls of Residences - Buchanan Hall, Richardson Court, Union Drive and Wallace and Wilson Halls.
- Two additional resid
- Iowa State University offers on-campus accommodation to its students through four Halls of Residences - Buchanan Hall, Richardson Court, Union Drive and Wallace and Wilson Halls.
- Two additional residence halls are also provided for upper-division students (students 19 and older) - Frederiksen Court, Schilletter and University Villages.
- The majority of the rooms are standard double rooms.
- However, there are a limited number of single and triple rooms available throughout the neighborhoods.
- Eaton and Martin Halls are suite-style buildings meaning two rooms (four people) share a bathroom.
Accommodation Expense- Total Annual Cost:USD 4750
- On-campus housing:admissions.iastate.edu/housing.php
Meal Expense- Total Annual Cost:USD 4864
- Living expense links:housing.iastate.edu/halls/freder...
- Off-campus housing:student.com/us/ames
apartments.com/ames-ia/student-h...
- The average rent is 550 to 650 USD/month
- The residence type includes studio apartments, 3 bedroom apartments, 4 bedroom apartments and shared apartments
- The student residences are fully furnished wit
- The average rent is 550 to 650 USD/month
- The residence type includes studio apartments, 3 bedroom apartments, 4 bedroom apartments and shared apartments
- The student residences are fully furnished with all the basic amenities such as electricity, centrally heated and unlimited internet access included in the rent
- The lease period is average 12 months
Iowa State University Campus ratings & reviews
18 Verified Reviews
- 17% students never faced discrimination in this university
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Iowa State University FAQs on Campus
Iowa offers 100+ bachelor's degrees and 100+ master's programs. Some of the most popular majors at Iowa State University, along with the percentage of degree recipients for the same is given below:
Bachelor’s degree | % | Master’s degree | % |
|---|---|---|---|
Mechanical Engineering | 5.5% | Information Technology | 14.1% |
General Marketing & Marketing Management | 5.12% | Human Computer Interaction | 5.39% |
Kinesiology & Exercise Science | 3.87% | Dietetics | 4.93% |
General Psychology | 3.8% | Accounting | 4.47% |
General Animal Sciences | 3.59% | Bioengineering & Biomedical Engineering | 4.13% |
General Finance | 3.28% | General Biomedical Sciences | 3.56% |
The latest Iowa State University cost for on-campus housing is given below:
Type of Housing | 2025-26 Rates |
|---|---|
Barton, Lyon, Friley, Freeman, Oak, Linden, Roberts, etc. | Double, No AC: USD 5,516 (INR 4.7L) Double, with AC: USD 5,952 (INR 5L) Single, no AC: USD 6,600 (INR 5.6L) Single, with AC: USD 7,032 (INR 6L) |
Wallace & Wilson | USD 4,868 – 5,952 (INR 4.1L - 5L) |
Suites & Geoffroy Hall | USD 7,300 – 8,386 (INR 6.2L - 7.1L) |
Frederiksen Court Apartments | USD 5,430 – 7,359 (INR 4.6L - 6.2L) |
Schilletter and University Village Apartments | USD 3,839 – 7,679 (INR 3.2L - 6.5L) |
1 USD = INR 85.50
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