University of Iowa - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into University of Iowa

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

86%

Admission Difficulty for University of Iowa
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Challenging
Applicant Competition		Very Low

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Iowa is 86%. Its admission rate is the 20th lowest in Iowa.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Iowa and can you get accepted?

University of Iowa is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 22,128 out of the 25,729 who applied were admitted.

University of Iowa typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.81. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 23% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Iowa?

86% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of Iowa you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.81 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1240 on the SAT
Score 25 on the ACT
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

Iowa GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.81

Typical High School Grades

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Iowa?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Iowa are to have around a 3.81 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.81 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Iowa accepts 86% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Iowa is 3.81 on the 4.0 scale. 33% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #2 in Iowa for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Iowa is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of Iowa students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	33.24%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	27.81%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	18.71%	Avg -
3.25 to 3.49	11.31%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	6.39%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	2.48%	Reach
2.00 to 2.49	0.04%	Reach
1.00 to 1.99	0.02%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

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Iowa SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Iowa. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 21% of students submitted SAT scores and 63% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1130-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT

21%

SAT Scores for University of Iowa
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	570
Math 25th Percentile	560
Composite 25th Percentile	1130

SAT Scores for University of Iowa
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	670
Math 75th Percentile	670
Composite 75th Percentile	1340
Average SAT Score	1240

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Iowa?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Iowa is 1240 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1130-1340. Students who get into University of Iowa score in the top 36 percent of all SAT test takers.. Iowa ranks #3 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1240 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Iowa regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1130 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1130, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1020, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Iowa is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1235, you have around a 86% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 92% chance of getting in.

University of Iowa admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1340 and Above	Good	>92%
1235 to 1340	Avg +	86%-92%
1130 to 1235	Avg -	76%-86%
1025 to 1130	Reach	63%-76%
Less than 1025	Low	<63%

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Iowa ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

22-28

Applicants Submitting ACT

63%

ACT Scores for University of Iowa
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	21
Math 25th Percentile	20
Composite 25th Percentile	22

ACT Scores for University of Iowa
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	29
Math 75th Percentile	27
Composite 75th Percentile	28
Average ACT Score	25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Iowa?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Iowa is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 28. The school ranks #4 in Iowa for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 19.

Scoring well on the ACT is very important as 63 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Iowa.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Iowa is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Iowa for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 86% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 92% with a 28 ACT score.

University of Iowa admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
28 and Above	Good	>92%
25 to 28	Avg +	86%-92%
22 to 25	Avg -	76%-86%
19 to 22	Reach	63%-76%
Less than 19	Low	<63%

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High School Class Rank

64% of University of Iowa freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 33% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of Iowa students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	33%
Top 25% of class	63.91%
Top 50% of class	92%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of Iowa admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	14,388	11,278	25,729
Accepted	12,281	9,789	22,128
Acceptance Rate	85%	87%	86%
Enrolled	2,986	2,152	5,178
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	24%	22%	23%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

May 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

175

Applicants have 175 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on May 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Iowa is $40.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Iowa and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Iowa Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Iowa
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because University of Iowa is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.81 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1240 and ACT of 25 will almost guarantee your admission.