What is the acceptance rate at University of Iowa?

University of Iowa's acceptance rate is approximately 84% (Iowa City, IA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.

What SAT score do you need for University of Iowa?

Admitted students at University of Iowa typically score 1130–1330 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

How much does University of Iowa cost?

At University of Iowa, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,531 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.

How many undergraduates attend University of Iowa?

University of Iowa enrolls approximately 22,264 undergraduate students.

Where is University of Iowa located?

University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA.

University of Iowa: Acceptance Rate, SAT & Cost — QuantAdmit

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Iowa

University of Iowa

Iowa City, IApublicuiowa.edu

Acceptance

84%

SAT 25–75

1130–1330

Avg net price

$22,531

Earnings (10 yr)

$64,762

Graduation rate

75%

Admit rate has ranged 83%–86% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.

Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.

The University of Iowa is a Big Ten public research university with a surprisingly collaborative vibe—where 20% of students start as 'open majors,' the creative writing program is legendary, and Hawkeye pride runs deep. With an 84% acceptance rate, it's accessible but punches above its weight in writing, health sciences, and performing arts. Just don't expect graduates to stick around Iowa—only 38% remain in-state a decade after graduation.

Admission requirements

Test-optional — scores considered if submitted

Required

High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)

Considered (not required)

Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Demonstrated competencies

Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.

More details

Undergrad enrollment: 22,264
In-state tuition: $11,283
Out-of-state tuition: $33,371
Retention Rate: 90.4%
Acceptance Rate: 83-84%
Graduation Rate: 80.7%
Notable Programs: Writing, Health Sciences, Performing Arts
In-State Students: 61.9%
Post-Grad Placement: 96%

Outcomes & value

Median earnings (10 yr): $64,762
Value (earnings ÷ net price): 2.9×
Median debt at graduation: $22,500
Graduation rate: 75%
First-year retention: 90%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr): 71%
Pell (lower-income) share: 41%
First-generation share: 22%
Endowment / student: $157,446

Top-earning majors

Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.

Industrial Engineering$71,351
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$69,657
Chemical Engineering$64,990
Mechanical Engineering$64,581
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$62,260
Civil Engineering$61,651

Campus & location

Campus safety

On-campus violent crimes (2024): 79
Per 1,000 students: 3.55

On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.

Climate

Pleasant days / yr: 86
Summer high: 83°F
Winter low: 18°F
Annual rain: 35.6"
Annual snow: 29.5"
Natural-hazard risk: Relatively Moderate

Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.

Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility

Research output

Institutional h-index: 992
Scholarly works: 192,374

Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.

Future-scholar output

Humanities & social-science PhDstop 38 nationally

Share of this school’s graduates who go on to earn research doctorates (2010–20), by national rank and per-capita yield (NSF institutional-yield ratio). A signal of a research-oriented student culture — not a causal promise, since it partly reflects who enrolls. Only top producers appear. Source: NSF NCSES, Baccalaureate Origins of U.S. Research Doctorate Recipients.

Economic mobility

Mobility rate: 1.0%
Bottom → top quintile: 32%

Quick answers

What is the acceptance rate at University of Iowa?: University of Iowa's acceptance rate is approximately 84% (Iowa City, IA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for University of Iowa?: Admitted students at University of Iowa typically score 1130–1330 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does University of Iowa cost?: At University of Iowa, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,531 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of Iowa?: University of Iowa enrolls approximately 22,264 undergraduate students.
Where is University of Iowa located?: University of Iowa is located in Iowa City, IA.

Admissions

The University of Iowa is decidedly not selective, with an 83-84% acceptance rate—making it one of the more accessible Big Ten schools. Admitted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.63-3.83, with middle-50% test scores of ACT 21-28 or SAT 1140-1313. Notably, 59% of applicants submit ACT scores versus just 19% for the SAT, reflecting Midwestern testing preferences. The admissions office explicitly states that students with ACT ≥26 or SAT ≥1230 are above institutional averages. While Iowa prioritizes in-state applicants (61.9% of undergrads are Iowans), out-of-staters face no quota.