Iowa State University
Ames, United States
- Cost of Living$ 14,316
- Tuition Fee From$ 12,660
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength31,013
- Global Diversity11%
- Gender Ratio44 : 56
Overview
About
The Iowa State University (ISU) is a public land-grant research institution in Ames, Iowa. The Iowa Legislature approved the terms of the 1862 Morrill Act on September 11, 1862, in an attempt to make Iowa the first state in the country to do so. The university which had been founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, was officially recognized as the first land-grant institution in the country. The college was renamed with its current title in writing on July 4, 1959.
Iowa State University’s acceptance rate stands at 84.2% with around 29,960+ students out of which 25,240+ are undergraduate students, 4,090+ are postgraduate students and 630+ students in other certification courses. According to undergraduate enrolment, it is the second-largest university in the state of Iowa. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Engineering, the Graduate College, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the College of Design, the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, and the College of Human Sciences are among the 8 colleges that oversee the university's academic programs. In addition to a professional degree program in Veterinary Medicine, they provide approximately 100 Bachelor's degree programs, 125 Master's degree programs, and 100+ Doctoral degree programs.
The Cyclones, a Division I NCAA team representing the university, are a founding member of the Big 12. The Cyclones have 16 varsity teams, and they frequently take home the NCAA national title. The university is among the “R1: Doctoral Universities - Very High Research Activity". It is also home to a number of research institutes, including the Biorenewables Research Laboratory, the Plant Sciences Institute, and the Ames Laboratory (one of the ten national US Department of Energy Office of Science research centers).
Ranking
US News & World Report 2024:
Iowa State University achieved a notable position on the global stage, securing #263 position.QS World University Ranking 2024:
Iowa State University has shown excellence by securing 351–400 spot on the global scale.The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities awarded ISU the title of "Innovation and Economic Prosperity University" in 2016-2017, making it one of just fifty-four institutions nationwide. For 2020, QS assessed the programs in agriculture and forestry as the 16th best in the world. By the US News & World Report, the statistics program is ranked 20th in the nation in 2018. The biological/agricultural engineering department at university is ranked #1 among doctoral-granting institutions in the nation, while the mechanical and civil engineering programs are ranked 9th and 16th respectively.
Nearly all of ISU's engineering specialties are among the top 30 in the country. The university’s physics and chemistry programs are among the best in the world and are ranked in the top 50 nationally and in the top 100 globally. The university's Greenlee School of Journalism and Mass Communication is famous for being among the first to offer approved journalism and mass communication courses. Additionally, Greenlee is listed as one of the top JMC research programs in the country, coming in at number 23 in a publication by the AEJMC.
ISU is ranked 94th in the nation for research and development spending for science and engineering, and 71st overall by the National Science Foundation. The university is now ranked #2 nationally for licensing and options that result in revenue as well as #2 nationally for license and options performed on its intellectual property. Some of Iowa State University's rankings in 2022 are listed below -
- 401st - 500th in the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings
- 219th in the US College Rankings by THE
- 191st - 200th in US UNI by QS Top Universities
- 301st - 400th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
- 287th in the Wall Street Journal College Rankings
- 156th in America’s Top College Rankings by Forbes
- 49th in the National University Rankings by Washington Monthly
Course Rankings:
QS and Times Higher Education have ranked Iowa State University courses, let’s take a look at some of the subject rankings -
Arts & Humanities
QS Psychology: #251 - 300
THE Arts & Humanities: #251 - 300
THE Law: #126 - 150
THE Psychology: #126 - 150
THE Education: #151 - 175
Science, Medicine & Nursing
QS Life Sciences & Medicine: #286
QS Biological Sciences: #251- 300
QS Chemistry: #251 - 300
QS Social Sciences & Management: #501 - 520
QS Computer Science & Information Systems: #401 - 450
THE Clinical, Pre-Clinical & Health: #501 - 600
Business & Economics
QS Economics & Econometrics: #251 - 300
QS Business & Management Studies: #451 - 500
Engineering
QS Mechanical Engineering: #151 - 200
QS Chemical Engineering: #151 - 200
THE Engineering & Technology: #251 - 300
Accounting & Finance
QS Accounting & Finance: #251 - 300
QS Mathematics: #351 - 400
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#470
-
2023
#481
#263
2022
#494
#263
Facilities
ISU Student Government is the university’s student governing body. A president, vice president, finance director, cabinet nominated by the president, clerk appointed by the vice president, senators from each college and university housing region, a nine-member judicial branch, and an election commission make up the university’s Student Government. It's campus is home to nearly 900+ student organizations representing a wide range of interests. The Student Activities Center at university assists these organizations and The Memorial Union is home to numerous offices for student organizations. Here are some of the Iowa State University facilities -
Campus Services:
- Parking lot, sidewalk, street, and bike path upkeep, including sweeping, painting, and crack filling
- Installation of directional and traffic signs
- Installation and upkeep of plants, flowers, and turf
- Management of wildlife and pests
- Care for cemeteries
- Management of Lake Laverne and swan care
Building Services:
Regular and preventative maintenance is provided for buildings and building systems through building maintenance. Services offered are -
- Envisioned services (e.g., building equipment and roof maintenance)
- Unanticipated services (e.g., repairs for water leaks and building systems)
- Organize inspections of building systems, fire alarms, and safety measures
- Creating and managing a library of building systems and equipment operations and maintenance records
- Administration of warranties
- Give departmental equipment maintenance schedules and budgetary projections
- Training with building equipment
- Inventory and usage reports for refrigerants each month
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
Iowa State University Entry Requirements
Admissions for undergraduate students for the fall semester usually opens on July 1st of the previous year. Candidates must submit a pre-application in order to be considered for graduate admission. Before submitting the complete application, the preliminary application must be accepted. Students can apply through the portal online or on the university website with a fee of $50 for UG programs and $100 for PG programs. ISU is test optional for students applying for undergraduate programs; international students are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores for admissions. Glance through Iowa State University entry requirements for students below -
Undergraduate Admission Requirements:
- Higher Secondary School Certificate or its equivalent
- A minimum equivalent GPA of B or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; which is around 80%
- Final official academic transcripts from previous institutions
- Minimum SAT combined score of 1200 and a minimum ACT composite score of 25
- A minimum TOEFL score of 71
- Bank statements showing a minimum $42,000 for financial proof
- Copy of passport
Graduate Admission Requirements:
- Completed online graduate application form
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited college
- A minimum GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale
- Unofficial academic transcripts
- English Proficiency Test Scores -
- Min. TOEFL-PBT score of 550
- Min. TOEFL-iBT score of 79
- Min. IELTS score of 6.5
- Statement of Purpose (SOP) for the US
- Resume/CV
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
- Writing Samples/Publications/Portfolio (if required)
Iowa State University Fees
Throughout the 8 colleges at ISU, there are various degrees for students to opt from, they must keep in mind that the cost of attendance can vary based on the type of program and subjects that they choose. The following is the cost of attendance and Iowa State University fees cost for each field of study -
- Accounting & Finance: $14,762 - $48,300
- Medical & Pure Sciences: $13,176 - $35,037
- Animation & Design: $26,136
- Business Management & Entrepreneurship: $26,136 - $38,640
- Computer Science & Technology: $14,762 - $48,300
- Marketing & Advertisement: $26,136
Placement
Students at ISU with F-1 visas are permitted to work both on and off campus. When classes are in session, they are only permitted to work a total of 20 hours per week. During a vacation, this restriction is not in effect. By logging on to Access Plus, running through the Student Job Board, and being made available by the Student Employment Center (SEC), students can find relevant jobs. Working on campus will allow students to make more money than the minimum wage. Additionally, they'll be able to save money on daily expenses. Additionally, they will be able to continue working during a school term. Off-campus occupations available to students include childcare, housekeeping, tutoring, food service, cashier, and sales clerk roles. These opportunities can be found in Ames and the nearby regions.
Within six months of graduating from university, 82% of Bachelor's degree holders were either working full-time or continuing their education. Within six months of graduation, 85% of Master's students accepted full-time job offers with Iowa State University placements. At the university, various departments, and schools each have their own Career Services Office. Graduate College Career Services, Engineering Career Services, Business Career Services, and Graduate Business/MBA Career Services are all included in this.
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by Iowa State University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the Iowa State University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend Iowa State University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the Iowa State University, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Ames, Iowa is an affordable place to live for students. The housing expenses in Ames are 5% lower and the utility prices are 8% lower than the national average. For transportation like bus fares and gas prices are 6% higher than the average and groceries cost almost the same as in other cities. Here is a division of the cost of living in Ames, Iowa for students for each item -
|
Item |
Cost (Per Month) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$583 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
$648 |
|
Transportation |
$67 |
|
Food |
$347 |
|
Utility |
$121 |
|
Entertainment |
$33 |
|
Groceries |
$54 |
|
Clothes |
$109 |
|
Health Insurance |
$80 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
$1,394 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
$1,459 |
|
Annual Cost of Living |
$16,728 |