Buy The Book

and get the real lowdown on Iowa State.

$16.95 + shipping More About the Book >

Comparable Schools
Interested in Iowa State University?

You may also want to check out these comparable schools:

Want to see how Iowa State stacks up against these schools?

See the Side-By-Side Comparison
Report Card

General Information

School Contact
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011
United States
(515) 294-4111
www.iastate.edu
Cost
In-State Tuition: $6,161
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,919
Room and Board: $6,715
Books and Supplies: $978
Undergrad Student Body
Full-Time: 20,004
Total Male: 11,983
Total Female: 9,371
Part-Time: 1,350
Founded:
1858 		Control:
Public 		Setting:
Small city 		Academic Calendar:
Semester 		Religious Affiliation:
None

Overall Experience

For the most part, students enjoy their Iowa State experience. Iowa State is a large school with a beautiful campus and a reasonably diverse population. The first year can be difficult for many students, especially those who are not from the Midwest and are away from their families. It can be hard adjusting to college life, but once friends are made, the experience improves. Lifelong friendships are formed at Iowa State. Ames is a town that supports the college atmosphere, and students can quickly feel at home here. Iowa can have a few too many seasons for students not used to such dramatic weather, but students who can survive the first year find that the rest of their time at ISU gets easier.

Iowa State is a university of science and technology, so students in other fields may want to thoroughly investigate their fields of study before enrolling at Iowa State over another institution. You get out of college what you put into it. No matter where you are, if you are determined to learn, to make friends, and to succeed, your college experience will be fun. Iowa State has a lot to offer to every student—the question is if it is the right choice for you. Iowa State is large enough to be able to have great athletics and a huge social scene, but small enough that students get individualized attention in their classrooms and are easily able to make solid friendships. Students generally seem very satisfied with Iowa State—and why shouldn’t they be?

Students Speak Out

ISUZR says:

April 13, 2009
I really like the culture on campus and all of the different things you can do. The campus is well-kept. I didn't really have a reasoning for why I came to Iowa State—I just did. It took me a while to really enjoy being here. However, I do feel that I could have gotten an education elsewhere.
Was this helpful?                |   Report

ISUbs says:

April 01, 2009
I really like this school, and I'm very happy with my choice in school.
Was this helpful?                |   Report

ISUND says:

February 25, 2009
If I had to do it again, I would at least take a harder look at other schools. I am in the Liberal Arts College, and ISU is definitely not into that sort of thing—it's mostly agriculture, engineering, and design.
Was this helpful?                |   Report

Anonymous says:
Iowa State University is amazing. It is everything I want in a college. I transferred in from a smaller public school, and Iowa State is the perfect size! I love it here.
Was this helpful?                |   Report

kllarson says:

April 08, 2009
Honestly, ISU wasn't my first choice of colleges. It stuck out to me because of scholarship and tuition. I am so happy that this was where I chose to go, though! I absolutely adore Iowa State. The campus is beautiful, the nightlife is fun and comfortable, and you can fit in anywhere here. If you like to party, there are plenty of fraternities and houses that host off-the-wall parties. If you are one to stay in, dorm dens are a fun place to go. Clubs are prevelent here, so everyone can be in something!
Was this helpful?                |   Report

There are hundreds of more comments waiting for you! login or subscribe now to read them!

Or, if you are a current college student at this school, then you can sign up for FREE!

Admissions Stats See more admissions statistics

Contact Admissions
Phone: (800) 262-3810
E-Mail: admissions@iastate.edu
Web Site: www.iastate.edu/~adm_info/hs.html
Acceptance Rate:   90% Application Fee:   $30 Common Application Accepted?   Yes

Financial Aid Stats

Contact Admissions
Phone: (800) 478-2998
E-Mail: financialaid@iastate.edu
Web Site: www.financialaid.iastate.edu
Other Stats
Financial Aid Forms Deadline: March 1
Average Financial Aid Package: ? $4,440
Applicants Who Received Aid: 87%

Standardized Tests

Scores Verbal Math Composite (out of)
SAT I * 510 - 640 540 - 690 1050 - 1330 (1600)
ACT * 21 - 27 22 - 28 22 - 27 (36)
* 25th - 75th Percentile
Other Stats
Top 10% of HS Class: 24%
SATI / ACT Required? Either