Iowa State University

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100 Enrollment Services Center

Ames, IA 50011

[map]
Phone: (800) 262-3810
2012-2013 Tuition
$7,726
in-state
$19,838
out-of-state
Students
24,343
enrolled
56%
male /
44%
female
Admissions
Jul. 1
application deadline
86.2%
accepted

More Information

_

U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#101 National Universities

More About U.S. News Rankings

Summary

Iowa State University is a public institution that was founded in 1858. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 24,343, its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,795 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Iowa State University's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 101. Its in-state tuition and fees are $7,726 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $19,838 (2012-13).

Iowa State University dwarfs Ames, the small town in which it resides. The large school offers more than 750 student organizations, and sports are a big part of campus life. The Iowa State Cyclones compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference, and share a special rivalry with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Despite the Cyclones moniker, the school mascot is a cardinal named Cy because a cyclone was hard to put into costume form. There are nearly 50 fraternities and sororities at Iowa State, and most chapters have their own houses. Freshmen do not have to live on campus, and Greek members can move into sorority or fraternity houses during their first year at school. The Greek system is sizable, but, at a school as large as Iowa State, it counts less than 10 percent of students among its members. There are more than 100 undergraduate majors offered at Iowa State, and, through the Soar in 4 initiative, advisers work with students to ensure they graduate in four years. For a study break, students can take a stroll through the roses in Reiman Gardens or check out more than 600 works of art around the campus—the biggest collection at any school in the country. Each spring, students put on VEISHEA, a campus-wide celebration with a parade and famous musical performers. For trips off campus, Des Moines is 30 minutes away.

Iowa State University offers highly ranked graduate programs through its College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Engineering, as well as one of the nation’s only degree programs in human computer interaction. The university is a land-grant institution, meaning faculty and students work on research projects that better the community as a whole. At the university’s Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station Specific, projects range from biorenewable fuel production to soybean research. The campus is also home to the Ames Lab, a research center for the U.S. Department of Energy. Notable alumni include Bruce Roth, inventor of the pharmaceutical drug Lipitor, and Carrie Chapman Catt, cofounder of the League of Women Voters.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Students who enroll at this major research, land-grant university experience a unique personal, welcoming environment, and a rich collection of academic and extra-curricular programs that help them discover their own individual greatness. Iowa State's mission, "to create, share, and apply knowledge to make the world a better place," and the university's commitment to excellence, have attracted faculty and staff who are passionate about learning and discovery. Iowa State students are curious, resourceful, and innovative. Iowa State graduates are prepared to be global citizens who are culturally informed, technologically adept, and ready to lead.

General Information

School type public, coed college
Year founded 1858
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar semester
Setting city
2011 Endowment $588,548,763

Applying

When applying to Iowa State University, it's important to note the application deadline is July 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due July 1. The application fee at Iowa State University is $40. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 86.2 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity more selective
Fall 2011 acceptance rate 86.3%
Application deadline July 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by July 1

More About Applying

Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at Iowa State University is 18:1, and the school has 30.4 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Iowa State University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Engineering; Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 85.5 percent.

Class sizes
Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio 18:1
4-year graduation rate 33
Five most popular majors for 2011 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 20%
Engineering 17%
Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences 10%
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 5%
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 5%

More About Academic Life

Student Life

Iowa State University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 24,343, with a gender distribution of 56.3 percent male students and 43.7 percent female students. At this school, 39.3 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 60.7 percent of students live off campus. Iowa State University is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at Iowa State University.

Total enrollment 29,611
Student gender distribution
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

More About Student Life

Campus Info & Services

Iowa State University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. Iowa State University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Iowa State University.

Students who have cars on campus N/A
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer No

More About Campus Info & Services

Paying for School

At Iowa State University, 55.6 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $6,720.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees $7,726 (2012-13)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $19,838 (2012-13)
Room and board $7,721 (2012-13)
Financial aid statistics
Financial aid statistics

More About Paying for School

* Overview details based on 2011 data

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