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    University of Iowa

    uiowa.edu Black Arrow Icon
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    Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

    Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

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    Overview

    University of Iowa is a public 4-year college located in Iowa City, Iowa. There are currently 21,545 undergraduates at Iowa and the school’s acceptance rate is 86%. The tuition at Iowa is $10,353 for in-state students and $32,316 for out-of-state.

    University of Iowa
    University University
    Universities are larger institutions that typically contain multiple different schools for different subjects. Students at these schools will be connected to a large group of peers and have many resources at their fingertips.
    11 City
    Urban institutions typically offer more options when it comes to internships, jobs, community service, research positions, social lives, and more. However, some may find the city distracting, and the cost of living is typically higher.

    Student Body

    Undergraduate Students

    Undergraduate Students 21,545

    Pell Grant 19%

    Part-Time Undergrad Students 7%

    Undergrad Students Over 25 6%

    Percent Male / Female 44% / 56%

    Ethnic Diversity at Iowa

    75% White

    9% Hispanic

    5% Asian / Pacific Islander

    4% Multiracial

    3% Black

    3% Unknown

    2% International / Non-Citizen

    Academics Snapshot

    Student/Faculty Ratio

    Student/Faculty Ratio 16:1

    Graduation Rate

    Graduation Rate 74%

    Popular Majors

    Percent of Students

    Business, Management, & Marketing

    23%

    23% of graduates

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies

    11%

    11% of graduates

    Health Professions & Related Programs

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

    9%

    9% of graduates

    Engineering

    8%

    8% of graduates

    Social Sciences

    6%

    6% of graduates

    Communications & Journalism

    5%

    5% of graduates

    Visual & Performing Arts

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Biological & Biomedical Sciences

    4%

    4% of graduates

    Liberal Arts & Humanities

    4%

    4% of graduates

    English Language & Literature

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Education

    3%

    3% of graduates

    Computer & Information Sciences

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Mathematics

    2%

    2% of graduates

    Natural Resources & Conservation

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Languages & Literatures

    1%

    1% of graduates

    History

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Physical Sciences

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Public Administration & Social Services

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Philosophy & Religious Studies

    1%

    1% of graduates

    Show More

    Scholarships & Financial Aid Snapshot

    $26,883

    Sticker Price
    Sticker Price

    $28,420

    Average Annual Aid
    Average Annual Aid

    $20,426

    Average Annual Cost
    Average Annual Cost

    Cost Breakdown


    In-State
    Tuition
    $10,353
    Books & Supplies
    $950
    Room & Board
    $11,476
    Other
    $4,104

    In-State Estimated Cost:

    $26,883

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Out-of-State
    Tuition
    $32,316
    Books & Supplies
    $950
    Room & Board
    $11,476
    Other
    $4,104

    Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:

    $48,846

    for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

    Since Iowa is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at Iowa is $26,883 for in-state students in IA, and $48,846 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 would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.

    University of Iowa Financial Aid

    Students who are applying for financial aid at University of Iowa 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 University of Iowa is 001892.


    If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.

    Pell Grants at University of Iowa

    18% of students at University of Iowa 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 University of Iowa.


    You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.

    Outside Scholarships

    Iowa 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:


    Admissions Snapshot

    86%

    Admission Rate

    26

    Average ACT

    Coalition Colleges

    Iowa is a Coalition Member College, which means they have completed a vigorous vetting process from the Coalition for College to ensure that they “provide substantial support to lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students; offer responsible student financial aid; and demonstrate a commitment to student graduation.” That also means you can apply to Iowa via the Coalition Application. The Coalition Application makes it easy to obtain application fee waivers if you qualify. It’s also a great way to discover other colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to affordability and strong student outcomes.

    Is Iowa test-optional?

    University of Iowa 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.

    November
    1

    Early Action

    March
    1

    Regular Decision

    What is the application deadline at Iowa?

    Students must apply by March 1 to enroll at Iowa during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.


    And if you’re considering applying Early Action at Iowa, remember that the deadline is November 1.

    Should I apply Early Action at Iowa?

    Early Action is a great option for students who want to hear back from a college before the Regular Decision admissions are released. At some colleges, applying Early Action can also help your admissions chances. However, this varies on a college-by-college basis, so it will not always give you a boost.

    Be on the lookout for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action options. These are not the same as Early Action, and although they can be great options for some students, they are not a good fit for everyone. If you’re considering applying for Single Choice Early Action or Restricted Early Action, be sure to read the college’s admissions website carefully. Make sure that these restrictions fit with your college admissions plan.

    Student Outcomes Snapshot


    Graduate Income

    Graduate Income $64,762

    Median Debt $22,500

    Debt 10 years after graduation $239

    Graduation Rate 74%

    What is the graduation rate at University of Iowa?

    74% of students who start at University of Iowa 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 University of Iowa go on to earn?

    10 years after starting school at University of Iowa, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $64,762. This is $14,371 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 take out in loans?

    Graduates of Iowa have to take out a median of $22,500 in federal student loans. This is $9,000 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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