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Public, 4-Year
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in IA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$10,497

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

89.1%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

75.0%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$63,386

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

Iowa State University is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in Ames, IA. With a competitive tuition profile of $10,497, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 75.0% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Admissions Intel

SAT Score Range

Reading & Writing550 – 660
20025th–75th percentile800
Math560 – 690
20025th–75th percentile800

ACT Score Range

Composite21 – 28
125th–75th percentile36

Acceptance Rate

89.1%

Transfer-Out Rate17.5%

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$41,988

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

1.3 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$33,386

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$291,872

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$625,732

Long-term projected return on your education investment

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at Iowa State University is $22,869.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
44.4%
55.6%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

White
77.1%
Hispanic
7.2%
Asian
4.4%
International
3.3%
Two or more
3.1%
Black
2.6%
Unknown
2.1%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.1%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

0

Burglary

0

Theft

0

Assault

0

Robbery

0

Rape

0

Arson

0

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$10,497

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$11,734
$30k - $48k$12,465
$48k - $75k$15,430
$75k+$19,807

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$22,869
Pell Grant Recipients18.5%
Using Federal Loans45.9%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment75.9%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

87.6%

Success

75.0%

In-State Cost

$10,497

Age 25+ Students

3.4%

Carnegie Class

R1: Doctoral — Very High Research

Working at 6yr

8,585 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Ames (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
Ames (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.

Living In Ames

Off-Campus Market Estimator

Current Fair Market Rents
🏠

Studio

$847

Monthly Average

🏢

1 Bedroom

$918

Monthly Average

🏘️

2 Bedrooms

$1,033

Monthly Average

🏢

3 Bedrooms

$

Monthly Average

Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Ames metropolitan area.