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Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
Updated on April 02, 2020Iowa State University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 92%. Located in the small city of Ames, Iowa State is about a half hour drive from Des Moines. ISU's strengths in teaching and research have earned it membership in the Association of American Universities. Iowa State University typically ranks in the top 50 public universities in the United States, and the school has particular strengths in science, engineering and agriculture. ISU's College of Business is also popular among undergraduates. On the athletic front, the Iowa State Cyclones compete in the NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference.
Considering applying to Iowa State University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.
During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Iowa State had an acceptance rate of 92%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 92 students were admitted, making Iowa State's admissions process slightly competitive.
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The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Iowa State University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.
Iowa State University, which accepts over 90% of applicants, has a slightly selective admissions process. If your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. Iowa State uses a mathematical equation to determine admission eligibility that gives weight to ACT or SAT scores, high school rank, GPA, and the completion of core courses. A high number in one area can help compensate for a lower number elsewhere. Admission is automatic for students who score highly enough on the index of GPA, test scores, rank, and course work.
Iowa State University also offers a summer trial enrollment for students who are not admitted unconditionally. This program provides students with weaker academic measures an opportunity to prove that they are able to meet the challenges of college.
In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. As you can see, the majority of successful applicants had high school averages of "B-" or higher, ACT composite scores of 20 or higher, and combined SAT scores of 1000 or better (ERW+M). It's also important to note that the university attracts plenty of "A" students with standardized test scores that are well above average.
