

Iowa State University: Fees, Rankings, Courses, Reviews
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Iowa State University Rankings 2025
The Iowa State University is among the top universities in the USA and globally. Iowa State University ranking is #77 in the USA by Shiksha Popularity Ranking in 2025. The university is also one of the top-ranked universities in the world and it ranks #449 in 2026 and #470 in the World University Ranking by QS in 2025. This shows that there has been a major improvement in the QS rankings of Iowa State. According to THE (Times Higher Education), Iowa State University ranking is #401-500 in 2025. Furthermore, in the Global Universities category, Iowa State University ranking is #380 in 2025.
#363
#76
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
The University of Iowa as well as Iowa State University are two well-known institutions in US and good abroad options for students. When it comes to rankings, the Iowa State University ranka #121 in Best National Universities, whereas, the University of Iowa ranks at #98 position in 2025.
Mentioned below is the comparison between both the universities on the basis of some other parameters that can help you choose the better university for you:
Parameters | University of Iowa | Iowa State University |
---|---|---|
Acceptance Rate | 85% | 89% |
Average GPA | 3.83 | 3.0 |
Annual Tuition Fee | INR 23 L - 48 L | INR 20 L - INR 43 L |
According to a top-ranking publisher, IA State ranking in the US is #121 in 2025 edition of National University category. For the 2024 edition of National Universities, this university ranks at #115. Though the university’s position has declined in 2025 rankings, this university still ranks in the Top 200 Universities of the US in 2025 as well as 2024.
Academic Programs at Iowa State University
Iowa State University offers about 100 bachelor's degree courses. At the graduate level, Iowa State University offers more than 350 programs. At the UG level, the academic programs are offered as per the Colleges which are Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, Design, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences. Study areas at the graduate level are Art and Design, Engineering, Business and Management, Social Sciences, Humanities, etc. One of the most popular Iowa State University courses is the MSc in CS. Some of the courses studied by IA State alumni are Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration and Management, Marketing, Finance, etc.
There are eight colleges at Iowa State University, including the Graduate College. These colleges are Agricultural and Life Sciences, Business, Design, Engineering, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Graduate College, and College of Veterinary Medicine. The founding year of college / schools of this university can be checked from the table given below:
Schools |
Founding Year |
---|---|
Agricultural and Life Sciences |
1858 |
College of Veterinary Medicine |
1879 |
Engineering |
1904 |
Graduate College |
1913 |
Liberal Arts and Sciences |
1959 |
Design |
1978 |
Business |
1984 |
Health and Human Sciences |
2005 |
Also Check: Study in USA Details

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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
As per the unofficial sources, Iowa State University popular majors are Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, etc. Other popular majors are:
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Agricultural / Animal / Plant / Veterinary Science and Related Fields
- Education
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
As per the Princeton Review, Iowa State Ivy College of Business MBA is ranked at #3 in the US for Best Administered On-Campus MBA program. This ranking includes 244 Business schools that were selected using a combination of factors including institutional and student survey data. Data used includes career outcomes, admissions selectivity, academic vigor, among others. Also, Ivy MBA is ranked at #50 as per a top-ranking publisher for Best Graduate Schools. Because of this ranking, the university ranks in the Top 10% of the MBA programs in the US.
The BS in Computer Science at Iowa State University prepares students for graduate study in Computer Science and for various businesses, industry, and government positions including Information Technologists, Computer Scientists, and Software Developers. Students must have high school education to take admissions in BS in CS at Iowa. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required from Indian applicants. Students who wish to enter ISU directly from high school must also meet the minimum high school requirements for admission as given below:
- 4 years of English language (Focus on Writing, Speaking, and Reading as well as an understanding and appreciation of Literature)
- 3 years of Mathematics (Including one year each of Algebra, Geometry, and Advanced Algebra)
- 3 years of Science (Including at least two years of courses that emphasize elements of Chemistry, Biology or Physics)
- 2 years of Social Studies
Iowa State University Admissions Process and Requirements
Iowa State University offers admissions during the Fall, Summer, and Spring intakes every year. For Iowa State University admissions, the applicants can access the direct application link from the university portal.
Application Deadlines
Iowa State University has a rolling admission policy. However, the university recommends that international UG applicants apply at least 6-8 weeks before the course starts.
Admission Requirements for International Students
The entry requirements for Indian students are given below:
- UG: Indian applicants must have completed Class 12. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required
- PG: A bachelor’s degree is required from Indian applicants. A GPA of 3.0 is required. Some of the programs require GMAT / GRE score
Acceptance Rate
As per unofficial sources, Iowa State University acceptance rate is around 89%. This means that the university is less selective at the time of admission.
Application Fee
Iowa State University application fee is USD 100 (Around INR 8,300) for international applicants. For UG applicants, the IA State application fee is USD 65 (Around INR 5,400).
Eligibility
To take admission to IA State, the applicants are required to meet all the entry requirements, which may vary as per the courses. The common documents required to apply are given below:
- Academic transcripts
- Certificate of finances
- English language proficiency requirements
- Statement of Purpose
- Recommendation letters
Also read: Admission Intakes in US Universities
- Application fees :USD 50 - 100
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
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
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. The applicants are advised to check the course page to know about the exact requirements from the official website of Iowa State University. Apart from submitting these scores, other application materials that the applicants have to submit for admission to graduate courses at Iowa State University include Statement of Purpose, English language proficiency score, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.
Yes, Iowa State University MBA requires a GMAT score. Given below are the application requirements for this course:
- Online application
- Resume
- College transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- GMAT / GRE score
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test score
Iowa State UniversityIowa State University Scholarships for Indian Students
Different sources of scholarships exist in the university, so you can explore all your options before applying for one. A small number of merit scholarships are awarded to first-year overseas students. A student’s SAT/ACT scores as well as high school scores are taken into consideration for the purpose of providing scholarships. Overseas students holding the admission offer letter directly receive these renewable merit scholarships. Some of the scholarships offered to international first-year students are International Merit Awards and International Exceptional Awards. The details of these scholarships are given below:
International Merit Awards: Scholarship selection for this scholarship is competitive and based on a holistic review of SAT or ACT scores and high-school marks / grades. To be considered for this award, students have to fill out the scholarship application. The award of achievement is up to $40,000 ($5,000 - $10,000 per year) and the Award of Distinction is up to $16,000 ($2,000 - $4,000 per year). Check out details about Iowa State University Scholarships from here.
Also read: Scholarships in USA for Indian Students
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Some of the scholarships that are offered by ISU to international students are given below:
- International Merit Awards: These scholarships are awarded to those undergraduate students who have demonstrated strong academic achievement and outstanding talent or achievements. The award of achievement is USD up to USD 40,000 and the award of distinction is up to USD 16,000
- International Excellence Awards: International first-year students who have been granted admission to ISU will be automatically awarded these renewable merit scholarships for high-achieving applicants on the basis of high school GPA and SAT or ACT score submitted. Under this, President’s Award for International Student Excellence is USD 48,000 and for Dean’s Award for International Students is USD 40,000
Also Read: Scholarships to Study in the USA for International Students
First-year students at IA State are considered for a limited number of merit scholarships. The scholarship selection is competitive based on a holistic review of SAT / ACT scores and high school marks / grades. Students must complete the OneApp scholarship application in order to be considered for this award. The award amount is given below:
- Award of Achievement: Up to $40,000 ($5,000 - $10,000 per year)
- Award Distinction: Up to $16,000 ($2,000 - $4,000 per year)
Iowa State offers International Student Excellence Award to international UG students. These are merit-based scholarships offered to high-achieving applicants based on the high school GPA and SAT or ACT scores submitted during the admissions application process. Note that this scholarship cannot be combined with the International Merit Scholarship. The scholarship award value as per this scholarship is given below:
- President’s Award for International Student Excellence: $48,000 ($12,000 per year)
- Dean’s Award for International Student Excellence: $40,000 (10,000 per year)
Iowa State UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 21% students never faced discrimination in this university
Iowa State University Placements
Iowa State offers a number of career services to students such as career counselling, job search strategies, resume and interview preparation, and access to CyHire, university’s career portal. Right now, the employment data for Iowa State University MBA placement data is available for 2023-24. Also Check: Iowa State University Placements
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
A few of the industries where this university’s MBA graduates work are Agriculture, Commerce, Consulting, Engineering, Manufacturing, Financial Services, etc.
ROI after Education from IA State University
The average salary for an MBA graduate of IA State University who have been hired in the Financial Services industry is USD 89k (Around INR 76 lakh). The first-year tuition fee of the MBA graduates is INR 28.52 Lakh. This means studying at this university would lead to greater ROI.
Top Employers
Employers of the MBA graduates of this university include:
- Cargill
- Citadel
- Conagra Brands
- Intel
- Honeywell
- Walmart
- U.S. Bank
Part-time Jobs
During the Spring and Fall semesters, Iowa State University international students can work up to a maximum of 20 hours per week. However, during the semester breaks, students can work over 20 hours per week.
Download the MBA placement report 2023-24 of Iowa State University
Also Check:
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Here are some of the top recruiters for Iowa State University MBA graduates:
- Cargill
- Conagra Brands
- Intel
- Citadel
- Midwest Asset
- Walmart
- Honeywell
- General Mills
- U.S. Bank
- Pella
- PIC
According to Payscale.com, the average salary for IA State University is USD 77,000 per year (Around INR 65 L). The salaries as per the job titles are given as follows:
Job Titles | Average Salary |
---|---|
Software Engineer | USD 84,245 |
Mechanical Engineer | USD 78,036 |
Manufacturing Engineer | USD 73,333 |
Project Engineer | USD 71,666 |
The popular majors at Iowa State University include Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Education; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Engineering; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, etc.
Iowa State UniversityStudent profile
Others
85%
Hispanic
7%
Asian
4%
Black
2%
In state
52%
Out of state
44%
Foreign
2%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
Iowa State UniversityStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.Iowa State University FAQs for Indian Students
Though Iowa State University is test-optional for first-year applicants, it must be noted that if international students have graduated from a US high school, they may choose to submit their SAT / ACT score. Whereas, students who have graduated from a foreign school do not need to take these exams. Other Iowa State admission requirements for undergraduate applicants are given below:
- A minimum of 3.0 GPA
- High school course requirements
- English language proficiency requirement: TOEFL iBT 71 / IELTS with an overall score of 6.0 / PTE score of 48, etc.
Lowa State University Master of Finance admission requirements are given below:
- A bachelor’s degree is required with a minimum of 3.0 GPA
- Proof of English language proficiency
- Resume
- Academic transcripts
As per the student reviews at IA State University, the following things must be kept in mind:
- Go out of the university's campus once in a while and check out Ames as a city. Check out the local parks, shop downtown, and interact with the locals
- Volunteer as this helps students to make valuable contacts. It also boosts the resume
- Attend IA State Sporting events
- Also, get a part-time job
To get into IA State University, first-year international applicants are required to have the following:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 in high school
- SAT / ACT (not required for admission)
- English language proficiency requirement: TOEFL / IELTS / PTE / Duolingo scores are required
- Academic transcripts
- Bank statement or sponsor letter confirming USD 47,600
- Copy of passport
For international graduate students, a bachelor's degree is required. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. English language proficiency scores must also be submitted
Iowa State University Indian applicants of UG course are required to upload the following documents with their application:
- Academic transcripts
- English language proficiency score
- A bank statement showing a minimum balance of USD 47,600 (Around INR 40 lakh)
Indian applicants at the PG level are required to have a Bachelor's degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. A few of the documents that the applicants are required to submit are:
- Official transcripts
- Evidence of English language proficiency score
- GRE / GMAT score
- 500-word Statement of Purpose
- Letters of recommendations (as applicable)
- Financial documents
International students admitted to Iowa State are automatically awarded renewable scholarships on the basis of their high school GPA and SAT and ACT scores. These are known as International Student Excellent Award. This scholarship cannot be combined with International Merit Scholarship. The scholarship award values are:
- President's Award for International Student Excellence: USD 48,000 (USD 12,000 per year)
- Dean's Award for International Student Excellence: USD 40,000 (Per year USD 10,000)
Indian applicants thinking to take admission to University in Iowa State must submit the English language proficiency requirements. They can submit the test scores like IELTS / TOEFL / PTE / Duolingo. Minimum test scores required in these tests are:
Tests | UG Scores | PG Scores |
---|---|---|
IELTS | Overall 6.0 with sub-scores of 5.5 or above | Overall 6.5 |
Duolingo | 100 | 105 (Fall 2025), 115 (Spring 2026) |
PTE | 48 | 53 |
TOEFL | 71 on IBT with a 17 or above on the Speaking and Writing sections | 79 |
Iowa State University
Student Forum
Answered 3 months ago
Iowa State University acceptance rate stands at 88.66%, meaning that out of every students who apply to the Iowa State admissions, the university is likely to admit around 88-89 of the applicants and offer them the opportunity to enroll on the ISU campus. Thus, it can be concluded that the admissio
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
Iowa State University accepts students from all around the globe, with various ethnic and racial backgrounds. The student demographics for ISU can be checked from the table 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 |
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
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% |
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 months ago
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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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
According to Shiksha, the overall rating of Iowa State University is 3.7. Some of the component ratings for this university include 4.1 for student life, 4.4 for public transportation, 4.1 for quality of faculty, 3.9 for part-time work. Some of the reviews posted by students on Shiksha, here are som
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Contributor-Level 10
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