Iowa State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $56,000 within 10 years; strong 75% graduation rate.
About This School
Iowa State University is a public institution located in Ames, Iowa with approximately 25,367 undergraduate students enrolled. Iowa State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 89%. The average net price after financial aid is $18,589 per year. The graduation rate is 75%, and the typical graduate earns $56,000 within 10 years of enrollment.
Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a public land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, Iowa State became one of the nation's first designated land-grant institutions when the Iowa Legislature accepted the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act on September 11, 1862. On July 4, 1959, the college was officially renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
This is a strong option for students pursuing engineering, agriculture, or business, offering a well-regarded land-grant education at a relatively affordable $18,165/year net price — and with an 89% acceptance rate, it's accessible to a wide range of applicants. The debt-to-earnings picture is reasonable: median debt of $18,750 against $56,000 in earnings 10 years out is a manageable ratio. The one number worth watching is the 75% graduation rate — not alarming, but it suggests roughly 1 in 4 students don't finish, so incoming students should have a clear plan and use campus support early.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 22% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (25,367 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: Iowa State University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in Iowa
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA · Public
Des Moines Area Community College
Ankeny, IA · Public
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA · Public
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA · Public
Eastern Iowa Community College District
Davenport, IA · Public
Iowa Central Community College
Fort Dodge, IA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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