The University of Iowa is one of the oldest universities in North America with a large student enrolment and this guide we will be discussing its acceptance rate and admission requirements.
Whether you are a domestic or an international student, UIowa is an institution that accepts worthy candidates during admission irrespective of their social background.
This public research university is very popular with students applying for a master’s degree in computer science and related fields.
The University of Iowa’s bachelor’s and master’s programs include a comprehensive list of courses.
Continue reading as there is more to discover about the admission acceptance rate at the University of Iowa.

About the University of Iowa
The University of Iowa (UI, U of I) is a public research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, USA. The university started in 1847 and is the oldest university in the state and takes the second position among the largest schools in the state.
The University of Iowa consists of 12 colleges that offer more than 200 fields of study and 7 programs in professional degrees. The campus covers an area of 1,880 acres and features state-of-the-art leisure, learning and living facilities that provide the best experience for students.
The University of Iowa is known for its sports teams that have won championships, its renowned academic medical centre, and sophisticated undergraduate and graduate writing programs. UIowa offers students a choice of about 90 majors at the undergraduate level of study.
Economics, Exercise science and nursing are the most popular fields of study. The school has nothing less than 500 student organisations registered on campus.
List of the Colleges at the University of Iowa
- Carver College of Medicine.
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
- College of Dentistry.
- Tippie College of Business.
- University College.
- College of Education.
- College of Nursing.
- College of Engineering.
- College of Law.
- College of Pharmacy.
- College of Public Health.
- Graduate College.
Is the University of Iowa a good school?
The University of Iowa Acceptance rate and admissions won’t be the only criteria to know if the school is good. Below are some of the things you should know about UIowa
Located in downtown Iowa, this university is equipped with all modern conveniences. Here are the best reasons to consider college:
- It has one of the best education systems in the world.
- The campus is completely safe and diversity is welcome.
- There are a total of 60 colleges ranked by Iowa Carnegie institutions.
- The university offers libraries, sports facilities, housing on campus and more.
Student life at the University of Iowa
The school has nothing less than 500 student organisations registered on campus. The groups are involved in so many activities including theatre, dance, sports, games, politics etc.
The school is committed to improving students – in 2004 they started a contract with Iowa City Englert Theater worth $25,000 where they can host events for about 40 nights annually.
Students participate in various student media organizations. For example, students edit and manage Daily Iowa, a newspaper which is printed in during class sessions from Monday to Friday.
The famous sociologist George Gallup was one of the newspaper’s first editors. Off Deadline Magazine, Daily Iowa TV, KRUI Radio, Student Video Productions and Earthworks Magazine are other examples of student media.
Athletics is another focus of campus life; There are even famous Iowa Hawkeyes players in the NCAA Division I Big Ten conference games.
The Iowa football team is a financially significant college program in the US. The team has been successful on the big stage as they have won 11 Big Ten championships. This program is so successful that 10 College Football Hall of Famers has come out from it, including 27 U.S. First Team Consensus players, five Pro Football Hall of Famers, and 245 NFL Draft Pick.
University of Iowa Acceptance Rate
The University of Iowa has an acceptance rate of 84%. It ranks 25th in Iowa with the lowest acceptance rate.
The University of Iowa is easy to get to, and if you meet the admission requirements, you have a good chance of getting accepted. Last year, 20,338 out of 24,132 applicants were accepted.
The school has strict admission requirements for SAT and ACT points, and students are generally accepted in the top 39% and 38% (SAT 1110/1310 and ACT 22/29). The University of Iowa generally accepts and attracts high school students with an “A” GPA of about 3.78.
Most accepted students are mostly students in the top quarter of their graduating high school students. 22% of those who are accepted into the school decided to attend the school.
University of Iowa Admission Requirements
The University of Iowa has an acceptance rate of 84% which means that it accepts more than three-quarters of its applicants, and its application process is somewhat selective. If your SAT/ACT score and GPA are within the school average, you have a good chance of getting in.
U of I also requires applicants to complete high school basic courses. Note that some programs at the University of Iowa are more selective than others, and program requirements vary by intended degree program.
The Tippie College of Business and College of Nursing have higher admission lines than the College of Arts and Sciences.
Applicants may submit a personal statement if they believe this will increase their application competitive level, though it is not required.
Also Read: The New School Acceptance Rate, Admissions, SAT/ACT, Tuition
SAT requirements and average SAT scores
The University of Iowa generally pays attention to applicants who are in the top 39 percent of the SAT test. The school’s average SAT score is 1110 on a 1600-point scale, making admission very possible.
The average combined SAT score for freshmen released is estimated to be 1210/1600. Iowa ranks third in Iowa and 230th in the US with the highest average SAT score. 26% of applicants submit SAT scores to a school.
Average SAT Table
SAT Reading 25th | 560 |
SAT Math 25th | 550 |
SAT Composite 25th | 1110 |
SAT Reading 75th | 650 |
SAT Math 75th | 660 |
SAT Composite 75th | 1310 |
Average SAT Score | 1210 |
ACT Requirements and ACT GPA
Admission data show that students with an ACT 22 or higher are regularly admitted to Iowa. Successful applicants are in the top 37 percent of SAT takers nationwide.
Prospective students who complete a combined ACT of 26 or higher should be among the top applicants, and students who score 29 have a highly competitive opportunity.
The school has the highest ACT overall score, ranking sixth in Iowa. A good ACT score is important because 90% of applicants submit ACT scores to the University of Iowa.
Average ACT Score Table
ACT Reading 25th | 21 |
ACT Math 25th | 21 |
ACT Composite 25th | 22 |
ACT Reading 75th | 30 |
ACT Math 75th | 28 |
ACT Composite 75th | 29 |
Average ACT Score | 25 |
Estimated GPA requirements and average GPA
To get to Iowa, applicants need very good grades. The average high school GPA for freshmen at the University of Iowa is 3.78 on a scale of 4.0, indicating that the majority of A students are accepted and eventually participate.
The school has the highest GPA and ranks second in Iowa. If your high school grades were above average with a GPA of 3.78, you have a good chance of getting in, as Iowa’s acceptance rate is 84% .
Also Read: 25 Cheapest Universities in USA for International Students
How to apply to the University of Iowa
Since you now know the acceptance rate, the next thing is to apply and how to apply to the University of Iowa has been discussed below ina step by step manner.
1. Submit your application.
As a freshman you begin your application through the University of Iowa application or through the Common Application. The school will continue to make admission decisions from September based on admission requirements according colleges as the admission decision is rolling.
2. Pay the registration fee.
The $ 55 application fee is non-refundable.
3. Ask the testing agency to submit your ACT or SAT score.
The University of Iowa is 1356 for ACT and 6681 for SAT.
If students do not submit ACT or SAT points with their application, they may be required to submit other academic documents, transcripts, or personal statements for admission. Students will be contacted by email if additional documents are required.
For more information on freshmen admission applications visit this page.
University of Iowa Estimated Tuition Fees and Cost of Attendance
- Iowa Resident Total Budget: $25,376
- In-State Tuition: $8,073
- Other Fees: $1,533
- Room and Board: $11,590
- On-Campus Other Budget: $3,230
- Books and Supplies: $950
- Non-Resident Total Budget: $47,339
- Out-of-State Tuition: $30,036
- Other Fees: $1,533
- Room and Board: $11,590
- On-Campus Other Budget: $3,230
- Books and Supplies: $950
The national tuition fee at the University of Iowa is $8,073 per year. This is 8 percent higher than the national average of $7,460 for a four-year tuition fee. The price is 68% cheaper than average Iowa $25,521 tuition fee at a 4-year university.
The tuition is in the 3rd position among affordable 4-year colleges in Iowa and 41st among the state’s most expensive 4-year colleges. If you are attending as a non-state student, the tuition fee is $30,036 which is an additional 272%.
The school will charge $1,533 in addition to tuition, bringing the total tuition fee to $9,606n for state residents.
The school offers on-campus room and board for $11,590 per person in a year. Off-campus students who want to live elsewhere in Iowa City must plan to spend at least this amount.
The average cost of book supplies is $950.
If you live on campus, then you need to budget $3,230 for additional costs. Off-campus students must budget $3,724 for miscellaneous living expenses.
The total budget for tuition and living costs for the academic year for students who are from the state of Iowa is $25,376. Non-state students who don’t live in Iowa are expected to pay $47,339 a year in tuition.
University of Iowa Transfer Acceptance Rate and How to Apply
The transfer acceptance rate at the University of Iowa is 78% and the Transfer Application Requirements are as follows:
- Minimum GPA: Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.50.
- Official Transcript: Everyone needs official high school and former college transcripts to be considered for admission.
- SAT results: transfer applicants transferring less than 24 semesters credit hours, ask the testing agency to provide ACT or SAT scores to the school. The University of Iowa code is 1356 for ACT and 6681 for SAT.
- Essay: Some applicants may be required to submit an essay or personal statement to be considered for admission, and you will be notified if necessary.
- Application Fee: The application fee is $55, and it is non-refundable.
- Other Requirements: Admission requirements for transfer students vary by field of study.
Also Read: How to get into a business school: All Requirements for Business School
How to apply for a transfer
1. Submit your application: Begin your application via the University of Iowa application. Application closing dates are different by the program.
2. Pay the application fee. The $55 application fee is non-refundable.
3. Submit your academic papers: The college and university you have attended is expected to send your transcripts. The transcripts that will be accepted should be sent from the issuing body to the address below or electronically by e-mail.
4. If you are to transfer less than 24 hours during the semester, then you need to submit test results from the testing official platform. The University of Iowa code is 1356 for ACT and 6681 for SAT.
Ask your high school to send U of I your final official transcript.
Office of Admissions
The University of Iowa
108 Calvin Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242-1396
If students do not submit ACT or SAT scores with their application, they may be required to submit other academic documents, transcripts, or personal statements for admission. Applicants will be notified by email if additional documents are to be submitted.
University of Iowa admissions and acceptance rate for international students
University of Iowa admissions and acceptance rate for international students is not different from that of the domestic students.
The UIowa is traditionally founded, yet innovative, school spirit-inspired but serious about learning – all in a relaxed and comfortable, international and creative environment. Welcome!
The University of Iowa is a public research university that is among the top 1 percent of universities in the world. Because of Iowa’s small class sizes and low-student-faculty relationships, you can develop close connections with our esteemed faculty.
Also Read: 15 Best Schools For Business in California
How to apply as an international student
International applicantss are students who are not U.S. citizens or legally resident in the United States or are refugees, asylum seekers, temporary visa holders, or students who require a visa.
1. Submit your application.
As an international student, you can begin your application through the University of Iowa application or through the Common Application. The school has a rolling admission which starts on December 15th.
2. Pay the registration fee.
As an international student, you are to pay which is $80 and non-refundable. There is no application fee waiver for international students as they have not studied their high school in the US.
3. Upload your academic records.
In your MyUI application profile, you must upload copies of all required transcripts from each high school, college, university, technical/vocational college, or if you have attended any professional institution.
Check the country-specific list of requirements for admission for more information on the credentials and minimum academic requirements required for admission consideration. UIowa provides college credit for a different of exams.
4. Meet the English language proficiency requirements.
See English language proficiency requirements. If necessary, ask the testing office to send the school your test scores on TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores depending on the one you took.
5. Ask the testing agency to submit your ACT or SAT score to the school. U of I facility code is 1356 for ACT and 6681 for the SAT.
ACT or SAT is required if:
- You choose ACT/SAT as the English proficiency verification method.
- You plan to apply for a scholarship (some financial funding require ACT or SAT points)
If applicants do not submit ACT or SAT scores with their application, the school may ask them to submit other academic documents, transcripts, or personal statements to obtain be considered for admission decision.
University of Iowa colleges and study programs
The University of Iowa, consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in the country, offers more than 5,000 courses annually. Iowa is one of 61 elected members of the Association of American Universities.
The university operates ISCABBS, a public bulletin board system that was the world’s largest online community prior to the commercialization of the World Wide Web.
The University of Iowa consists of 12 colleges that offer more than 200 fields of study and 7 degrees at the professional levels.
The student-to-teacher ratio at the University of Iowa is 16: 1, and 52 percent of classes have less than 20 students. The university’s most popular majors are:
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology
- Psychology
- Finance
- Organizational Leadership
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Marketing/Marketing Management
- Economics
The average retention rate for first-year students is an impressive 87%. This means that students are happy with their studies at the University of Iowa.
University of Iowa Rankings
- #83 in National Universities (U.S. News & World Report)
- #35 in Top Public Schools
- #127 in Best Value Schools
- #491 on QS World University Rankings
- #301-350 on World University Rankings (Times Higher Education)
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References:
- U.S. News & World Report: University of Iowa
- TopUniversities: University of Iowa
- Times Higher Education: University of Iowa
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