Iowa State University
Campus Identity
Iowa State University is a large public university in Ames, IA. Approximately 25,367 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 89% acceptance rate. Saylorville Lake is about 16 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@iowastateu
Follow on Instagram
@IowaStateU
Follow on X (Twitter)
At a Glance
Iowa State University is a large public university in Ames, IA. Approximately 25,367 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 89% acceptance rate. Saylorville Lake is about 16 miles from campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 50/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)
SAT Evidence-Based Reading
SAT Math
Campus Lifestyle
Iowa State University is a 20,000+, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a moderate greek life Greek scene. The campus is 16 miles from Seven Oaks Recreation.
Athletics
NCAA D1
Big 12
Greek Life
Moderate Greek Life
14% frats · 14% sororities
School Size & Setting
20,000+
Urban setting
Weather
Cold Climate
41°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
Iowa State University students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Seven Oaks Recreation, 16 miles away with 4 lifts and 35 skiable acres. All are within 124 miles of campus.
Nearby Lake
Saylorville Lake is 16 miles from campus, giving Iowa State University students access to boating, swimming, and waterfront recreation.
Saylorville Lake
Lake access within 15.7 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Ames, IA
Ames has a cool climate, with winters averaging 20°F in Jan and summers peaking around 73°F in Jul.
Station: AMES MUNICIPAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
Iowa State University in IA earns a composite safety score of 50/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $10,787 | $28,881 |
| Fees | $1,310 | $1,310 |
| Room & Board | $10,808 | $10,808 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $22,905 | $40,999 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
325 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Iowa State University located?
Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA. The main campus address is 1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at Iowa State University?
Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%, making it accessible. Out of 23,095 applicants, 20,475 were admitted in the most recent year. 25,367 students enrolled.
What ACT score do you need for Iowa State University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Iowa State University scored between 21 and 28 on the ACT, with a median of 24. About 46% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.
How much does it cost to attend Iowa State University?
For the 2024-25 academic year, Iowa State University charges $10,787/year for in-state students and $28,881/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($10,808/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $25,446/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $18,589/year — what students actually pay. Use Iowa State University's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for Iowa State University?
The undergraduate application fee at Iowa State University is $55. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does Iowa State University have college sports?
Yes — Iowa State University competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Big 12. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.
Is Iowa State University the right fit for me?
Whether Iowa State University is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (89% admit rate), avg net price ($18,589/year after aid), campus culture in Ames, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh Iowa State University against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with Iowa State University directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- Ames, IA
- Size
- 20,000+
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- Land Grant
- Yes
- NCAA
- NCAA D1
- Conference
- Big 12
- School Year Weather
- Cold · 41°F avg
- App Fee
- $55
- On Campus Safety Score
- 50/100
- Nearest Airport
- Des Moines, IA (DSM) · 34 mialso FOD (46 mi), ALO (74 mi)
Location
Ames, IA