Iowa State University
- Graduation Rate
- 75% B
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $63,386 A-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $18,589 C-
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 89% D+
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 20.8× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $20.8 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,468,866.
What The Data Says
-
A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
-
Graduates earn 55% more than the national college median.
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A 75% graduation rate — 32% above the national average.
-
Every $1 invested returns $20.8 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #156
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 50/100
- Times Higher Education
Why Iowa State University Matters
Iowa State University is a public research university in Ames, IA ranked #156 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 25,367
- Setting
- Urban
- Primary Strengths
- Engineering, Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Iowa State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 89% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1120–1360. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $18,589 a year after grants and scholarships — 8% above the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $63,386 ten years after enrolling — 55% above the typical college, against $22,869 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.75 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Iowa State University enrolls 25,367 students, making it a sizable public institution that caters to a diverse population. With an 89% acceptance rate, it welcomes a wide range of applicants, fostering an inclusive academic environment. The school’s graduation rate stands at 75%, reflecting a solid commitment to student success.
According to Opportunity Insights data, Iowa State University does not have specific mobility metrics available. However, the university’s strong programs in engineering, business, and computer science suggest a pathway for students to improve their economic standing. Graduates can expect to earn an average of $63,386 within ten years of completing their degree, indicating a favorable return on investment.
The cost of attendance at Iowa State is approximately $18,589, with median student debt at $22,869. A significant 19% of students receive Pell Grants, which assist those from lower-income families. This environment is particularly beneficial for students pursuing careers in engineering and technology, where demand continues to grow.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Iowa State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Iowa State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Ames, Iowa, Iowa State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 75%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 89%
- Retention Rate
- 88%
- SAT Average
- 1204
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1120–1360
- ACT Range
- 21–28
- Full-Time Faculty
- 84%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,702
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.43
- First-Gen Students
- 20%
- Applicants
- 21,919
- Admitted
- 19,776
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Iowa State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Iowa State University is $28,881, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,589. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,582 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,869 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $10,787
- Out-of-State
- $28,881
- Avg Net Price
- $18,589
- Median Debt
- $22,869
- Pell Grant Rate
- 19%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 43%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $10,582
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $11,506
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $15,463
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,496
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Iowa State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Iowa State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Iowa State University earn a median of $63,386, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $53,873
- 8 Years
- $59,021
- 10 Years
- $63,386
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.36x
- Earning > $25K
- 79%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,971)
- 50%
- 100% (2,971)
- 50%
- 100% (2,971)
- 50%
- 100% (2,971)
- 50%
How Iowa Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Iowa State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Iowa State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $18,589/year ($74,356 total). Graduates earn $63,386 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,543,222 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,468,866 (20.8× your investment). The median debt is $22,869, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 75% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $74,356
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,543,222
- Net Return
- $1,468,866
- ROI Multiple
- 20.8×
- Cost Per Year
- $18,589
- Median Debt
- $22,869
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 75%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is Iowa State University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Iowa State University at #156 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 50/100, teaching at 49/100, and citation impact of 58/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #156
- Teaching
- 49.3
- Research
- 49.6
- Citations
- 58.2
- International
- 23.2
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 50/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 58/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 50/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-32,626,478
Top Programs
The fields Iowa State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Engineering 21% $87,735 early-career
- Business & Marketing 20% $71,055 early-career
- Biology & Biomedical 6% $46,778 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 6% $85,234 early-career
- Education 4% $49,750 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 4% $46,008 early-career
- Psychology 4% $36,562 early-career
- Communications 3% $47,004 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Iowa State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Iowa State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Ames, Iowa, Iowa State University admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 89%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,204. The graduation rate is roughly 75%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Iowa State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Iowa State University is $28,881, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $18,589. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $10,582 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $22,869 in federal student loans.
Is Iowa State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Iowa State University earn a median of $63,386, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is Iowa State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Iowa State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is Iowa State University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places Iowa State University at #156 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 50/100, teaching at 49/100, and citation impact of 58/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Compare Iowa State University
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Iowa State University.
- University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO · Close peer76% grad $63,403 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Close peer67% grad $60,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of KentuckyLexington, KY · Close peer71% grad $59,025 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of IowaIowa City, IA · Close peer74% grad $64,762 earn 84% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of KansasLawrence, KS · Close peer69% grad $61,945 earn 93% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of OregonEugene, OR · Close peer72% grad $61,324 earn 88% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Iowa State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Iowa State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note