Ames, IA Overview
Iowa State University is a public 4-year college located in Ames, Iowa. There are currently 24,994 undergraduates at Iowa State and the school’s acceptance rate is 90%. The tuition at Iowa State is $10,133 for in-state students and $26,617 for out-of-state.
University
City
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
24,994
Pell Grant 19%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 4%
Undergrad Students Over 25 4%
Percent Male / Female 56% / 44%
Ethnic Diversity at Iowa State
77% White
7% Hispanic
4% Asian / Pacific Islander
3% International / Non-Citizen
3% Multiracial
3% Black
2% Unknown
Academics Snapshot
Student/Faculty Ratio
18:1
Graduation Rate
74%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Engineering
24%
24% of graduates
Business, Management, & Marketing
19%
19% of graduates
Agriculture & Agriculture Operations
9%
9% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
6%
6% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Education
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
3%
3% of graduates
Family & Consumer Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Psychology
3%
3% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
3%
3% of graduates
Social Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
2%
2% of graduates
Architecture
2%
2% of graduates
Engineering
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
1%
1% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
1%
1% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
1%
1% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot
$23,472
$24,462
$15,494
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$23,472for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$39,956for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since Iowa State is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Iowa State is $23,472 for in-state students in IA, and $39,956 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at Iowa State would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
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Iowa State University Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at Iowa State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for Iowa State University is 001869.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
National Merit Scholarships
If you scored exceptionally high on the PSAT/NMSQT, you may have been named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Did you know that this distinction could earn you a scholarship at Iowa State University? Iowa State offers scholarship money to National Merit Scholarship Finalists, although terms may vary. Some schools require you to list them as your first choice in order to receive the benefit, and others may impose additional need-based or academic requirements. Be sure to check Iowa State's website for more information!
Pell Grants at Iowa State University
19% of students at Iowa State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to Iowa State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Iowa State students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Iowa State University Financial Aid Resources
If you are looking for more information about financial aid and scholarships at Iowa State or have questions that are specific to your personal situation, we recommend that you reach out directly to the financial aid office!
Here’s how you can get in touch:
- Website: https://www.financialaid.iastate.edu/
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 515-294-2223
Admissions Snapshot
90%
25
Is Iowa State test-optional?
Iowa State University is test-optional, which means that it does not require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that some students will submit their test scores and others will not. If you choose not to submit your ACT or SAT score, the admissions officers will weigh your grades, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews more heavily. If you are not sure whether you should submit your standardized test scores, our guide on submitting scores to test-optional schools can help.
Rolling deadline at Iowa State
Iowa State University accepts applications on a rolling basis. That means that the earlier you submit your application, the better chance you have of gaining admission and strong financial aid. Many schools with rolling admissions have priority deadlines, which means that students that submit their application before these dates have a better chance of receiving financial aid. Be sure to check Iowa State's website to become familiar with their admissions dates.
Student Outcomes Snapshot
Graduate Income
$63,386
Median Debt $22,869
Debt 10 years after graduation $242
Graduation Rate 74%
What is the graduation rate at Iowa State University?
74% of students who start at Iowa State University end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 16% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of Iowa State University go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at Iowa State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $63,386. This is $12,995 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at Iowa State take out in loans?
Graduates of Iowa State have to take out a median of $22,869 in federal student loans. This is $9,369 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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