Iowa State University

www.iastate.edu

Add Comparison

No Results Found

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

$9,252

3.01% growth from 2023

2024 Average Net Price

$17,779

After Financial Aid

2024 Acceptance Rate

88.7%

23,095 Applicants

2024 Enrolled Students

30,380

90.6% Full-Time

2024 Graduation Rate

75.3%

4,447 Graduates

About

Iowa State University is a higher education institution located in Story County, IA. In 2024, the most popular Bachelors Degree concentrations at Iowa State University were Mechanical Engineering (369 degrees awarded), General Marketing & Marketing Management (270 degrees), and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (235 degrees).

In 2024, 7,793 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Iowa State University. 47.6% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 52.4% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (5,554 degrees), 17.1 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, two or more races (325 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Iowa State University is $9,252, which is $−22,600 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,852).

Photo by SD Dirk

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2024, the median undergraduate tuition at Iowa State University is $9,252, which is $22,600 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,852).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $17,779.

In 2024, 73% of undergraduate students attending Iowa State University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 43% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$9,252

2024 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2024, the cost of tuition at Iowa State University was $9,252. The cost of tuition at Iowa State University is $−22,600 less than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,852).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Iowa State University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$17,779

2024 Value

2.45%

1 Year Growth

In 2024 Iowa State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $17,779. Between 2023 and 2024, the average net price of Iowa State University grew by 2.45%.

This chart compares the average net price of Iowa State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$9,726

Room and Board

$1,091

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Iowa State University was of $9,726 in 2024. The cost of room and board increased by 3.93% between 2023 and 2024.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,091. The cost of books and supplies did not change during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Iowa State University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

73%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

43%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

73% of undergraduate students at Iowa State University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2024. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2023, when 73% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Iowa State University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Admissions

Iowa State University received 23,095 undergraduate applications in 2024, which represents a 0.435% annual growth. Out of those 23,095 applicants, 20,475 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 88.7% acceptance rate.

There were 30,380 students enrolled at Iowa State University in 2024. 13% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Iowa State University has an overall enrollment yield of 28.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

88.7%

Acceptance Rate in 2024

20,475

Accepted Out of 23,095

In 2024, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Iowa State University was 88.7% (20,475 admissions from 23,095 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2023, which was 89.1%. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of applicants grew by 0.435%, while admissions declined by 0.102%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Iowa State University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

13%

Submission Percentage (2024)

791

Scores Submitted (2024)

13% of enrolled first-time students at Iowa State University in 2024 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

The following chart shows the average SAT scores for the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of applicants for each section of the test that they are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Iowa State University had a total enrollment of 30,380 students in 2024. The full-time enrollment at Iowa State University is 27,515 students and the part-time enrollment is 2,865. This means that 90.6% of students enrolled at Iowa State University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Iowa State University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 69.5% White, 6.56% Hispanic or Latino, 4.09% Asian, 2.92% Two or More Races, 2.37% Black or African American, 0.135% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0527% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Iowa State University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Male (41.3%), followed by White Female (34.8%) and Hispanic or Latino Male (3.66%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (21.9%), followed by White Male (16.4%) and Hispanic or Latino Female (2.36%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

90.6%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Iowa State University in 2024, both undergraduate and graduate, is 30,380 students. The full-time enrollment at Iowa State University is 27,515 and the part-time enrollment is 2,865. This means that 90.6% of students enrolled at Iowa State University are enrolled full-time compared with 78.1% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Iowa State University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

88%

2024 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Iowa State University was 88%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Iowa State University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Iowa State University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
21,122 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
1,994 enrolled students
Asian
1,244 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Iowa State University is 69.5% White, 6.56% Hispanic or Latino, 4.09% Asian, 2.92% Two or More Races, 2.37% Black or African American, 0.135% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0527% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 45.5% White, 16.4% Hispanic or Latino, and 10% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,483 students (4.88%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2024, 367 fewer women than men received degrees from Iowa State University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Iowa State University is white (5,554 degrees awarded). There were 17.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, two or more races (325 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Iowa State University is Mechanical Engineering (369 degrees awarded), followed by General Marketing & Marketing Management (270 degrees) and Kinesiology & Exercise Science (235 degrees).

In 2024, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Iowa State University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Agriculture (980 degrees awarded), Applied Sciences (42 degrees), and Engineering (1,499 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Iowa State University are Software developers (484,863 people), Other managers (374,144 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (368,313 people), Civil engineers (313,864 people), and Mechanical engineers (219,807 people).

The most specialized majors at Iowa State University in 2024 are Agriculture (980 degrees awarded), Applied Sciences (42 degrees), Engineering (1,499 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (118 degrees), and Human Sciences (220 degrees) (as of 2024).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Surgeons

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Iowa State University are Surgeons, Diagnostic medical sonographers, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, Podiatrists, and Nurse anesthetists

The most specialized majors at Iowa State University are Agriculture (980 degrees awarded), Applied Sciences (42 degrees), Engineering (1,499 degrees), Architecture and Related Services (118 degrees), and Human Sciences (220 degrees) (as of 2024).

Common Industries by Major

Architectural, engineering & related services

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Iowa State University are Architectural, engineering & related services (607,756 people), Computer Systems Design (492,470 people), Construction (373,356 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (245,771 people), and Elementary & secondary schools (219,953 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Iowa State University.

Most Common (2024)

Mechanical Engineering
369 degrees awarded
General Marketing & Marketing Management
270 degrees awarded
Kinesiology & Exercise Science
235 degrees awarded

In 2024, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Iowa State University was Mechanical Engineering with 369 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from bachelors degree programs at Iowa State University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

4,080

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2024

3,713

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2024

In 2024, 4,080 degrees were awarded to men at Iowa State University, which is 1.1 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (3,713).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Iowa State University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2024, 319 degrees were awarded to men at Iowa State University in Mechanical Engineering, which is 6.38 times more than the 50 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2024, 189 degrees were awarded to men at Iowa State University in General Animal Sciences, which is 4.72 times more than the 40 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

52%

100% Completion Time

74%

150% Completion Time

In 2024, 52% of students graduating from Iowa State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 74% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 75% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (81.4%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2024 at Iowa State University is Female and White (81.4% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (75.5%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.52% of graduates (112 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2024)

White
5,554 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
325 degrees awarded
Asian
299 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Iowa State University is white (5,554 degrees awarded). There were 17.1 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, two or more races (325 degrees).

7.44% of degree recipients (580 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2024)

White Male
2,872 degrees awarded
White Female
2,682 degrees awarded
Asian Male
175 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Iowa State University is white male (2,872 degrees awarded). There were 1.07 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (2,682 degrees).

Operations

Iowa State University has an endowment valued at nearly $1.56B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 48.3M (3.09%) compared to the 7.99% average return (38.5M on 482M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2024, Iowa State University had a total salary expenditure of 1.48B. Iowa State University employs 571 Professors, 489 Associate professors and 350 Assistant professors. Most academics at Iowa State University are Male Professor (391), Male Associate professor (279), and Female Associate professor (210).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Iowa State University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 696 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media, with 675 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 645 employees.

Endowment

$1.56B

2024 Endowment

6.12%

growth from 2023

Iowa State University has an endowment valued at about $1.56B, as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year. The endowment of Iowa State University grew 6.12% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $1.08B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Iowa State University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$200M - Federal
$16.5M - State
$835k - Local

As of 2024, Iowa State University received $200M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $16.5M from state grants and contracts, and $835k from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$649M

2024 Salaries

growth from 2023

In 2024, Iowa State University paid a median of $649M in salaries, which represents 44% of their overall expenditure ($1.48B) and a 0% growth from the previous year.

Instructional Salaries

$170M

Instructional Salaries

1,417

Number of Employees

In 2024, Iowa State University paid a total of $170M to 1,417 employees working as instructors, which represents 26.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $6.16M (2.17%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

In 2024, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Iowa State University were Business and Financial Operations with 696 employees, Community, Social Service, Legal, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media with 675 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 645 employees.

Keep Exploring

University of California-San Diego

University

Brigham Young University

University

Stony Brook University

University

Fordham University

University

Illinois Institute of Technology

University