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Iowa State University
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Iowa State University - Academics - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.46

Academics

B
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 16:1
Full-Time Student Population 24,738
Part-Time Student Population 3,207
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 1,374
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 227
Total FT Faculty 2,074
Faculty with Terminal Degree 92%
Average Faculty Salary $85,975
Full-Time Retention Rate 86%
Part-Time Retention Rate 67%
Transfer-Out Rate 16%
Graduation Rate 70%
Programs/Majors Offered 145
Average Course Load 12–18 credits
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 34%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 40%
  • 50 or More Students: 26%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Student satisfaction ranges from sheer hatred to adoration, and a majority of the students at ISU seem to fall in the middle of that range. While a few students do profess hatred of their teachers and subject material, most students tend to be content with the quality of education these teachers are providing. Cultural differences seem to be the biggest problem teachers and students have with each other, but these kinds of differences better prepare students for life in the real world. They may, eventually, be glad they were forced to strain and decipher foreign interpretations of English—it could help them in the workforce someday.

Of course, different people will have differing views on what makes or breaks a teacher, and this is no different at ISU. Some students are warned by friends that certain teachers are Satan incarnate, while others adore them. Iowa State has enough educators to offer variety in education. In most cases, if you get stuck with a teacher you hate, chances are, you can drop the class and take it later with a different instructor. These options are not always available at smaller schools.

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Iowa State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Iowa State University

Jteague915

Computer Engineering '15

3.1
B-

Demanding, Time-Consuming, Difficult.

So far I enjoy my major, but it's a heavy workload. The classes are very demanding and the work is time consuming. It contains a lot of math and science. There are numerous internships available but are hard to get for first year students. Some of the professors can be helpful, you just have to reach out for the help.

May 12, 2012

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Academics at Iowa State University

LisaDB

Pharmacy Studies '14

4.6
A

Beautiful Campus With Many Resources

The campus is very quiet and peaceful. When the weather is nice, it's great to study outside. The grounds are well maintained and the scenery is wonderful. There are also many computer labs on campus, most of which have printers. There are many places you can go to study on campus, and there are many places to go eat as well.

Feb 24, 2012

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Academics at Iowa State University

ksandos

Graphic Design '15

4.6
A

Ames Is Great

While the surrounding community doesn't offer as much as the metropolitan city where I lived prior to Iowa, campus provides much to do between exhibits, activities, and events.

Feb 06, 2012

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Page 1 of 23
User rating for Iowa State University - Academics is 4.6 out of 5 based on 68 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: Yes
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3 or higher, but scores vary by exam.
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 4 or higher, but scores vary by exam. For more info: www.iastate.edu/~adm_info/cbe_ib.html
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Doctorate - Research/scholarship
  • Master's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Accounting: 2%
  • Finance, General: 2%
  • Marketing/Marketing Management, General: 2%
  • Mechanical Engineering: 2%
Special Study Options
  • Distance learning opportunities
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
  • Weekend/evening college
Best Places to Study
  • Coffeeshops off campus
  • Frederiksen Court Community Center
  • Hawthorn Market and Café
  • Maple-Willow-Larch Commons
  • Memorial Union
  • Parks Library
Did You Know?
  • Iowa State's central campus was selected for the American Association of Landscape Architects' 1999 centennial listing of "Medallion Sites." It was one of only three campuses selected in the nation.
  • Every state and over 100 countries are represented in the student body.
  • Iowa State University consistently ranks in the top 11 percent of the private and public institutions enrolling National Merit Scholars.
  • ISU math and physics professor Jan Vincent Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry designed the first electronic digital computer.
  • More Iowa high school graduates enroll at Iowa State each year than at any other Iowa college or university.
  • Among all U.S. universities and systems surveyed in 1998, Iowa State ranked first in the number of licenses and options executed on university-generated technology innovations; 10th in patents; 5th in total active licenses and options; and 12th in start-up companies from its research.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Staci Harper
Major
English/Rhetorical Studies/Speech minor

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
For additional information we encourage you to visit school websites or contact the schools directly.