University of Iowa
PublicIowa City, IA
Founded in 1847, the University of Iowa is the state's oldest institution of higher education. It was the first public university in the United States to admit men and women on an equal basis, and in 1970 it became the first university to officially endorse a student LGBT organization. The university has been a member of the Association of American Universities since 1909.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against University of Iowa's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of Iowa weighs your application
From University of Iowa's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of Iowa weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Iowa look for in applicants?
Per University of Iowa's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, standardized test scores as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of Iowa's acceptance rate?
University of Iowa in Iowa City, IA admits approximately 84% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of Iowa?
Admitted students at University of Iowa typically score between 1130–1330 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for University of Iowa?
Admitted students at University of Iowa typically score between 21–28 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does University of Iowa cost?
University of Iowa's total cost of attendance is reported at $28,596 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does University of Iowa require students to live on campus?
No -- University of Iowa doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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