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Iowa State University: tuition, cost and admissions

Ames, IA · Public university · City (small)

24,994Undergraduates

90%Acceptance rate

1,197Average SAT

$15,494Avg net cost / yr

See Iowa State University on the map → Official website

What Iowa State University actually costs

Item	Amount
Tuition & fees (in-state)	$10,133	Published rate before aid
Tuition & fees (out-of-state)	$26,617	Published rate before aid
Room & board (on campus)	$9,358	Annual
Books & supplies	$1,091	Estimated annual
Total sticker cost	$21,932	Everything, before aid
Average actual cost paid	$15,494	Average paid after grants and scholarships — an average, not a quote

Across all students, the average paid here was $6,438 less than the sticker price — about 29% off, once grants and scholarships are counted. Individual awards vary enormously, and many students receive nothing at all.

Do your own due diligence on cost. Every figure above is a historical federal average for all students at this college. No student pays the average. What you are charged depends on your family’s income and assets, your academic record, the year you apply, and what aid this college has available — and it changes year to year. Use these numbers to decide which colleges are worth investigating, never to decide what one will cost you. Run the college’s own net price calculator — every US college is required by law to publish one — then confirm in writing with its financial aid office before committing to anything. We are not financial, admissions or tax advisers and have no relationship with this college.

Most popular fields of study

Engineering — 24%

Business, Management & Marketing — 19%

Agriculture — 9%

Biological & Biomedical Sciences — 6%

Computer & Information Sciences — 4%

Education — 4%

Visual & Performing Arts — 4%

Communication & Journalism — 3%

Share of degrees awarded, US Dept. of Education.

Varsity athletics at Iowa State University

Athletic association	D-I
Men’s varsity sports (5)	Football (135), Track & Field (129), Wrestling (44), Basketball (15), Golf (8)
Women’s varsity sports (9)	Track & Field (124), Soccer (36), Swimming & Diving (27), Softball (24), Volleyball (20), Gymnastics (18), Basketball (15), Tennis (8), Golf (6)
Softball conference	Big 12
Head softball coach	Jamie Pinkerton

Squad sizes in brackets, from the federal Equity in Athletics survey (2024–25). Filter by sport and division on the interactive map.

Plan a visit and compare

Add Iowa State University to your shortlist, score it against other colleges side by side, and plan a campus visit route from your front door with the free My University View map.

Other colleges in Iowa

University of Iowa · Des Moines Area Community College · University of Northern Iowa · Kirkwood Community College · Iowa Western Community College · Eastern Iowa Community College District · Iowa Central Community College · Drake University