ISU's tuition & fees has increased from $20,856 (2015) to $28,881 (2025), and the rate of tuition increase is 38.48% over the past 10 years. The graduate school tuition & fees has raised from $22,096 (year 2015) to $30,577 (year 2025).
ISU's tuition increase rate is lower than the Iowa's average increase rate of 57.31%. Compare to all colleges in United States, it's increase rate is higher than the average increase rate of 10.99%.
Cost of Attendance (COA) Trends
The total cost of attendance (COA), including tuition & fees, books & supplies costs, and living costs, increased by 32.11% from 2015 ($32,390).
For the current academic year 2024-2025, ISU's COA is $42,789, which is increased by 3.38% from last year.
The following table and chart show changes to ISU's COA over the past 10 years.
Tuition & Fees Changes
The tuition & fees have increased 38.48% for the last 10 years , and the 2025 tuition & fees are $27,346. The following table and chart show the tuition & fees changes at Iowa State University over last the 10 years.
Books & Supplies Costs Changes
The cost of purchasing books & supplies which are required/recommended for courses $700, and it has decreased -32.30% from the year 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Books & Supplies | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $1,034 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $995 | -3.77% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $994 | -0.10% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $1,048 | 5.43% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $1,041 | -0.67% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $1,001 | -3.84% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $1,000 | -0.10% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $1,091 | 9.10% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $1,091 | |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $700 | -35.84% |
|---|
Living Costs Changes
The living costs including room, board, and other living expenses have increased 26.15% when a student lives on-campus facilities and 13.73% when living-off campus from the year 2015 to 2025. The following table shows the changes in living costs at Iowa State University.
| Year | Living On Campus | Living Off Campus | Change by Year |
|---|
| 2015-16 | $10,500 | $10,500 | - |
|---|
| 2016-17 | $10,786 | $10,786 | 2.72% |
|---|
| 2017-18 | $10,976 | $10,976 | 1.76% |
|---|
| 2018-19 | $11,150 | $11,150 | 1.59% |
|---|
| 2019-20 | $11,579 | $11,579 | 3.85% |
|---|
| 2020-21 | $11,623 | $11,623 | 0.38% |
|---|
| 2021-22 | $11,518 | $11,518 | -0.90% |
|---|
| 2022-23 | $12,248 | $12,248 | 6.34% |
|---|
| 2023-24 | $12,616 | $12,616 | 3.00% |
|---|
| 2024-25 | $13,208 | $12,476 | 4.69% |
|---|
Compare Tuition Change to Similar Colleges
The following table compares 2025 tuition and increase rate from last year between Iowa State University and similar schools.
| 2025 | 2024 | Increase Rate |
|---|
| Iowa State University | $28,881
($10,787) | $27,683
($10,497) | 4.33% |
|---|
|
| Texas Christian University | $61,740
($44,760) | $57,220
($44,760) | 7.90% |
|---|
|
| Kansas State University | $28,568
($11,221) | $27,816
($10,942) | 2.70% |
|---|
|
| West Virginia University | $28,608
($10,104) | $27,360
($9,648) | 4.56% |
|---|
|
| Baylor University | $58,100
($43,790) | $54,844
($43,790) | 5.94% |
|---|
|
| Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | $25,630
($10,110) | $25,630
($10,110) | - |
|---|
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