Acceptance Rate
84%
Avg. SAT
1330
75th percentile
“At Iowa, you dive into a lively Midwestern college town where the Writers' Workshop sparks literary legends and Hawkeye fandom fuels Friday night lights.”
Iowa City, IA
Location
Small City
Campus Setting
Founded in 1847 as one of the first public universities west of the Mississippi, Iowa carries a legacy of accessible education that predates Iowa's statehood, evolving from a modest campus on the Iowa River into a Big Ten powerhouse with 30,000 students. You'll thrive here if you're pragmatic and creative—perhaps a budding writer drawn to the famed Iowa Writers' Workshop or a future nurse eyeing the top-ranked program—embracing a personality that's intellectually curious yet unpretentious, blending small-town charm with spirited athletics. Iowa City, a compact UNESCO City of Literature packed with indie bookstores and the pedestrian-only Pedestrian Mall, wraps around campus like a cozy quilt, but tradeoffs hit hard: brutal winters bury the bike paths under snow, and the small-city vibe means no big-league urban energy for those craving constant hustle.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Available Online
Degree Levels Offered
In Iowa's classrooms, professors lead dynamic discussions in seminar-style settings despite the 15:1 student-faculty ratio, where undergrads snag research spots in labs discovering everything from Van Allen radiation belts to cutting-edge cancer therapies at the nearby UI Hospitals. You stand out in creative writing, where the Writers' Workshop has launched more Pulitzer winners than any other program; nursing ranks among the nation's elite; and Tippie Business feeds Wall Street pipelines. Yet as a massive public flagship, you navigate larger lectures in intro courses, and research opps favor upperclassmen over freshmen—less hand-holding than at smaller privates, but more affordable paths to grad school.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
22,738 undergrad • 8,041 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
72%
Black / African American
3%
Hispanic / Latino
8%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
12%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Iowa City, IA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
A typical week at Iowa kicks off with Monday coffee runs to the quirky Iowa Memorial Union, segues into Tuesday study grinds at the air-conditioned Hardin Library, and peaks Friday at raucous Hawkeye tailgates before Kinnick Stadium erupts for football. Over 500 clubs—from the massive Dance Marathon raising millions for pediatric cancer to improv troupes—knit the social fabric, while 80% of freshmen live on-campus in lively dorms like Mayflower with hallmate barbecues. The vibe pulses with Midwestern friendliness and Greek life buzz (20% participation), but challenges loom: harsh blizzards confine you indoors, party scenes skew heavy-drinking for some, and the sea of 23,000 undergrads can feel anonymous if you're not proactive about joining intramurals or the vibrant arts scene.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Big Ten Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
No
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
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Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
90%
4 Years Graduation Rate
56%
6 Years Graduation Rate
74%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$64,762
90% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of Iowa and return in the fall. 56% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 74% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
56%
4-5 years
18%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
25%
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Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$8,711
Acceptance
84%
Undergrads
22,738
4-Year Grad Rate
56%
Endowment
$3.3B
Iowa City, IA 52242-1316
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