How hard is ISU to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Iowa State University (ISU)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. ISU's acceptance rate is 88.66% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 23,095 students applied and 20,475 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively high, making it somewhat easy to get into ISU.
To apply to ISU, it is required to submit high school GPA and record. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, ISU's acceptance rate is 88.66% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 28.84%. 11,855 men and 11,240 women applied to ISU and 10,534 men and 9,941 women students were accepted.
Among them, 3,218 men and 2,688 women were enrolled in ISU. You can explore the ISU's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 791 students (13% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 2,698 students (46% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at ISU.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,250, including 620 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 630 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 670 and the 25th percentile is 560. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 690 and the 25th percentile is 560.
The median ACT composite score is 24, with a 75th percentile score of 28 and a 25th percentile score of 21 at ISU. The median ACT Math score is 25 and the median ACT English score is 23.
How competitive is ISU's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Iowa State University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,261, ACT: 27 - public research university with very high research activity).
First-year Enrollment by Gender and Enrolled Type
For the academic year 2024-25, total 5,906 first-year students enrolled in ISU. The proportion of full-time students is 99.68% and part-time students is 0.32%.
By gender, the proportion of men students is 54.49% and women students is 45.51%.
The following table shows the first-year students by gender and enrolled type at ISU.
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School GPA, High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, and English Proficiency Test to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at ISU. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Iowa State University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to ISU:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: https://www.iastate.edu/admission-and-aid/admissions
- Online Application: https://apps.admissions.iastate.edu/myaccount/
- Calendar System: Semester
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: 2-4 Years Certificate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
ISU Admission Frequently Asked Questions
ISU is relatively easy to get into, with an acceptance rate of 88.66%.
ISU recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to ISU is 1,250, and the average ACT score is 24. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
ISU does not require or recommend a personal essay or statement for admission. However, they may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
ISU does not require or recommend a recommendation letter for admission. However, it may be required for certain programs or scholarships.
ISU does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, ISU requires applicants to submit high school GPA, high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, ISU requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT code for ISU is 6306 and 4-digit ACT code is 1320.