DEEPCOLLEGES · OPS · v3.3 SCHOOLS·INDEXED 100 SOURCES IPEDS · CDS · SCORECARD LAST·SYNC 2026.04.29
CAMPUS · IOWA CITY, IA · PUBLIC

University of Iowa

University of Iowa
84.7%
ACCEPT
01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International
74
FIT
SAFETY
University of Iowa is a safety for most applicants.
Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.
ACCEPTANCE
84.7%
of 25,682 applicants
SALARY · 10-YR
$64,762
across all majors
01

University of Iowa at a Glance

84.7%
Acceptance Rate
1225
Average SAT
25
Average ACT
32,773
Total Enrollment
$64,762
Median Salary (10yr)
$22,500
Median Debt
18.0%
Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for University of Iowa

Test25th Percentile75th PercentileMidpoint
SAT Reading570660615
SAT Math560660610
SAT Total113013201225
ACT Composite222825

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received25,682
Students Admitted21,746
Students Enrolled5,064
Yield Rate23.3%

University of Iowa Rankings

Ranking2025Year
US News National Universities #89 2025

University of Iowa Overview

University of Iowa is a public university in Iowa City, IA with 32,773 students. With a 84.7% acceptance rate, most students who meet the requirements are admitted. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Parks/Recreation, and Multidisciplinary. Graduates earn a median of $64,762 ten years after enrollment.

Full NameUniversity of Iowa
LocationIowa City, IA 52242-1316
TypePublic
Websiteuiowa.edu/
Total Enrollment32,773
Undergrad Enrollment23,688
Female Students55.5%

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at U Iowa. Families earning $0-30k pay around $15,316 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $26,266. 18% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating U Iowa enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. Median debt at graduation is $22,500, which is reasonable against the $52,696 typical early-career salary.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$12,616
Total Cost of Attendance$28,596

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $15,316 $61,264
$30-48k $15,489 $61,956
$48-75k $19,930 $79,720
$75-110k $23,811 $95,244
$110k+ $26,266 $105,064

Financial Aid & Student Debt at University of Iowa

18.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
$22,500
Median Debt at Graduation

Is University of Iowa Worth the Cost? (ROI Analysis)

$64,762
Median Earnings (10yr)
$22,500
Median Debt
2.9x
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

A ratio above 2x generally means the investment pays off. University of Iowa — 2.9x ratio is solid — most graduates can comfortably manage their student loans.

University of Iowa True Cost by Family Income

Sticker price doesn't tell the full story at U Iowa. Families earning $0-30k pay around $15,316 per year after aid, while those in the $110k+ bracket pay about $26,266. 18% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating U Iowa enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students. Median debt at graduation is $22,500, which is reasonable against the $52,696 typical early-career salary.

Family IncomeAnnual Net Price4-Year Total
$0-30k $15,316 $61,264
$30-48k $15,489 $61,956
$48-75k $19,930 $79,720
$75-110k $23,811 $95,244
$110k+ $26,266 $105,064

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board$12,616
Total Cost of Attendance$28,596

Popular Majors at University of Iowa

Percentage of degrees awarded by field.

Business/Marketing
24.1%
Parks/Recreation
10.2%
Multidisciplinary
9.1%
Social Sciences
7.8%
Engineering
7.5%
Health Professions
7.1%
Visual/Performing Arts
4.7%
Communication
4.4%
Biological Sciences
4.1%
Education
4.0%
English/Literature
3.6%
Liberal Arts
3.3%
Computer Science
2.3%

Student Demographics

White
74.0%
Black/African American
3.2%
Hispanic/Latino
8.8%
Asian
4.9%
International
2.1%

How to Get Into University of Iowa

U Iowa is a Safety school for most students who meet the basic requirements. Don't let the higher acceptance rate fool you — U Iowa still offers strong programs and outcomes. Graduates earn $64,762 within 10 years, making it a solid return on investment.

1225
Target SAT Score
25
Target ACT Score
84.7%
Acceptance Rate
25,682
Total Applicants

What University of Iowa Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

FactorImportance
Academic Gpa Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record Very Important
Class Rank Considered
Standardized Test Scores Important
Application Essay Considered
Recommendation Considered
Extracurricular Activities Considered
Talent Ability Considered
Character Personal Qualities Considered
First Generation Considered
Alumni Relation Not Considered
Interview Not Considered
Work Experience Not Considered
Volunteer Work Not Considered

University of Iowa Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the University of Iowa Rolling admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

DeadlineDate
Regular DecisionRolling
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)Mar 1
Rolling Admissions: University of Iowa reviews applications as they arrive. Apply early for the best chance at admission and financial aid.

Financial Aid & Student Debt

18.0%
Pell Grant Recipients
Students from low-income families
$22,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Federal loans only
$52,696
Median Earnings (6yr)
6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About University of Iowa

What is U Iowa's acceptance rate?
U Iowa has an acceptance rate of 84.7%, making it accessible to most qualified applicants. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.
What SAT score do I need for U Iowa?
The middle 50% SAT range at U Iowa is 1130-1320. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 22-28. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.
What are the most popular majors at U Iowa?
The most popular majors at U Iowa by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (24.1%), Parks/Recreation (10.2%), Multidisciplinary (9.1%), Social Sciences (7.8%), Engineering (7.5%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.
How much do U Iowa graduates earn?
U Iowa graduates earn a median salary of $64,762 ten years after enrollment, based on federal data. Actual earnings vary significantly by major — STEM and business graduates typically earn more, while arts and education graduates earn less.
Is U Iowa worth the cost?
With median earnings of $64,762 (10yr post-enrollment) and median debt of $22,500, The earning potential is favorable relative to debt, though ROI depends heavily on your chosen major. Always compare the net price (after aid) to expected earnings in your intended field.
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More About University of Iowa

University of Iowa Acceptance Rate University of Iowa Tuition & Cost Transfer to University of Iowa University of Iowa Salary & ROI University of Iowa AP Credit Best Majors at University of Iowa University of Iowa Housing International at University of Iowa

Other Colleges in IA

Iowa State University
89.1% accept · Ames

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Iowa is not affiliated with DeepColleges.