ISU Admission Requirements
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ISU Admission Overview
ISU admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year ISU admitted 88.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (A-) and SAT 1120-1360 / ACT 21-28. ISU is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
ISU is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
ISU Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very Low
Admission difficulty for Iowa State University
Acceptance Rate
The ISU acceptance rate is 88.7%. Last year, 20,475 of 23,095 applicants were admitted. That is the 24th lowest acceptance rate in Iowa.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into ISU and can you get accepted?
ISU is an easy school to get into, admitting most applicants. You have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.
Iowa State University typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 29% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
ISU GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.7Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.7
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at ISU typically have around a 3.7 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. ISU is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
26% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #5 in Iowa for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.7 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
ISU Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Iowa State University is test-optional for first-year applicants. You may apply without SAT, ACT, or CLT scores. If you omit tests, admission is based on your high school GPA and required core courses. Students who send scores are reviewed with the Regent Admission Index; an RAI of 245 or higher plus the core courses leads to automatic admission.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.iastate.edu/admission-and-aid/admissions/first-year-students
ISU SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1120-1360Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
13%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 560
- Math 560
- Composite 1120
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 690
- Composite 1360
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at ISU typically score around a 1240 SAT (middle 50% 1120–1360) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 81st percentile nationally. ISU ranks #3 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1120 to 1360
SAT policy
ISU is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
ISU ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
21-28Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
46%25th Percentile Scores
- English 20
- Math 20
- Composite 21
75th Percentile Scores
- English 27
- Math 27
- Composite 28
Average ACT
Incoming testers at ISU typically have around a 24 ACT (mid-50 21–28) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 73rd percentile of ACT takers nationwide. ISU places #8 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 28
ACT policy
You may apply to ISU without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 24.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
79% of Iowa State University freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 45% are in the top quarter.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the ISU chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Iowa State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Iowa State University is $55.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
ISU is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 88.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.7 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1120-1360); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Iowa State University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153603.
GPA calculator: Iowa State University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026