At a glance
Average net price
$18,589
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
75.3%
Admission rate
89%
Undergrad size
25,367
In-state tuition
$10,787
Out-of-state tuition
$28,881
Cost of attendance
$24,018
Median earnings (10y)
$63,386
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,204
- ACT midpoint
- 25
- Retention
- 87.6%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
28 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by stem (37%), trades & services (17%), business (17%).
- STEM37%
- Health1%
- Business17%
- Humanities & arts15%
- Social sciences12%
- Trades & services17%
- Engineering21.3%~5,401 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Business17.2%~4,350 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Agriculture10.8%~2,740 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~1,550 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~1,169 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science4.5%~1,154 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~1,025 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Education3.7%~931 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology3.5%~893 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication3.1%~789 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~748 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Social sciences1.7%~439 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~429 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~411 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Architecture1.6%~403 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~373 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~337 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts1.3%~332 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Mathematics1.2%~309 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Engineering tech1.2%~307 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~289 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English1.1%~279 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History1.1%~266 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Military tech0.7%~183 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~140 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~43 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~43 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~36 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 763 | $50,665 | $22,250 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 762 | $64,842 | $23,500 |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 631 | $44,875 | $23,250 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor's | 538 | $72,598 | $24,337 |
| Animal Sciences. | Bachelor's | 476 | $35,828 | $21,500 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 467 | $32,074 | $25,425 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 463 | $33,251 | $23,121 |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor's | 437 | $37,065 | $27,000 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 437 | $51,055 | $21,750 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 417 | $39,738 | $25,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor's | 369 | — | $24,438 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 351 | $27,611 | $24,614 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor's | 343 | $46,032 | $16,972 |
| Veterinary Medicine. | First professional | 308 | — | — |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. | Bachelor's | 279 | $66,960 | $26,572 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 268 | $51,771 | $23,250 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master's | 252 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor's | 245 | $61,277 | $25,250 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 242 | $36,457 | $23,250 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor's | 234 | $67,086 | $23,750 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. | Bachelor's | 220 | $26,485 | $24,347 |
| Chemical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 217 | $70,534 | $20,188 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor's | 216 | $74,299 | $26,997 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Bachelor's | 207 | $37,025 | $20,998 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 202 | $71,184 | $24,663 |
| Plant Sciences. | Bachelor's | 201 | $44,779 | $20,500 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor's | 189 | $39,633 | $24,750 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Bachelor's | 177 | $61,647 | $25,236 |
| Apparel and Textiles. | Bachelor's | 176 | $41,681 | $23,204 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 170 | $28,217 | $22,227 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. | Bachelor's | 151 | — | $31,000 |
| Agricultural Engineering. | Bachelor's | 140 | $63,141 | $21,500 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 139 | $35,620 | $23,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 137 | $40,888 | $19,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 136 | $34,790 | $28,623 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 135 | $38,232 | $19,425 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 134 | $31,078 | $24,958 |
| Construction Engineering. | Bachelor's | 129 | $71,580 | $20,500 |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 125 | $47,736 | $22,942 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 114 | $33,510 | $24,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Iowa State University
Iowa State University is a very large institution located in Ames, Iowa, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 25,367 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Engineering, Business, Agriculture.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Iowa State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $18,589 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $10,787 for in-state students and $28,881 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $24,018 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 75.3%, a strong completion outcome. 87.6% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $63,386 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Iowa State University confers degrees and certificates across 28 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Engineering, Business, Agriculture. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by stem (37% of credentials), trades & services (17% of credentials), business (17% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Iowa State University accepts 89% of applicants, making it open or near-open admission. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,204. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 25.
Location & campus
Set in Ames, Iowa (city), Iowa State University draws students from across Iowa and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Iowa State University
Q.How much does Iowa State University cost?
The average net price at Iowa State University is $18,589 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $24,018.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Iowa State University?
Iowa State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 75.3% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Iowa State University?
Iowa State University admits 89% of applicants, which is considered open or near-open admission.
Q.How much do Iowa State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Iowa State University graduate earns $63,386 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Iowa State University?
Published tuition is $10,787 in-state and $28,881 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Iowa State University located?
Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa (ZIP 50011).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Iowa State University at their official website.