Iowa Admission Requirements
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Iowa Admission Overview
Iowa admission requirements are summarized from last year's class. Last year Iowa admitted 83.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.81 GPA (A-) and SAT 1130-1330 / ACT 21-28. Iowa 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
Iowa is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Iowa 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 University of Iowa
Acceptance Rate
The Iowa acceptance rate is 83.6%. Last year, 23,222 of 27,770 applicants were admitted. That is the 20th lowest acceptance rate in Iowa.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Iowa and can you get accepted?
Iowa 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.
University of Iowa typically 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. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Iowa GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.81Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.81
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at Iowa typically have around a 3.81 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Iowa is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #2 in Iowa for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 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
Iowa Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Iowa is test-optional for first-year applicants seeking general admission. You may self-report an SAT or ACT score or leave scores off the application. Iowa uses a no-harm rule and does not superscore; a score is used only when it helps admission or merit aid, and applicants who send scores can be reviewed through the Regent Admission Index. Applicants who skip scores receive an individual review based on coursework and grades. Direct Admission to the College of Nursing still requires an SAT or ACT score.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.uiowa.edu/testing
Iowa SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1130-1330Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
19%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 570
- Math 560
- Composite 1130
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 670
- Math 660
- Composite 1330
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Iowa typically score around a 1230 SAT (middle 50% 1130–1330) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 80th percentile nationally. Iowa ranks #5 in the state of Iowa for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1130 to 1330
SAT policy
Iowa 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 1230 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
Iowa 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.
57%25th Percentile Scores
- English 20
- Math 19
- Composite 21
75th Percentile Scores
- English 28
- Math 27
- Composite 28
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Iowa 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. Iowa places #9 among colleges in Iowa for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 21 to 28
ACT policy
You may apply to Iowa 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
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.
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 Iowa 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 University of Iowa 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
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
May 1, 2027Days left to Apply
243Applicants have 243 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on May 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Iowa is $40.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Iowa is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 83.6% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.81 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1130-1330); 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 University of Iowa often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=153658.
GPA calculator: University of Iowa GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026