Iowa State University

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Earning a Degree at Iowa State University

Iowa State University appears in our ranking of the 50 Great Affordable Colleges in the Midwest.

Students who attend Iowa State University may enroll in popular majors like engineering, business, management, and marketing, as well as a variety of degrees in the school’s extensive selection of agricultural programs in fields like agriculture operations, the biological sciences, horticulture, and animal ecology. Degrees are often available as minors, certificates, and as pre-professional study programs. Students may also enter graduate programs, graduate certificate programs, and several doctoral programs. There are even graduate minors available in several languages, philosophy, women’s & gender studies, and an interesting topic known as Applied Scientific Computing.

One of the unique features of the university’s undergraduate degrees is the option to enroll in the Soar in 4 program. The Soar in 4 program is a four-year graduation guarantee that helps ensure students complete their degree in four years or eight semesters with smart planning and a pro-active approach to class scheduling. Students can collaborate with an academic advisor to ensure they make the best decisions in class choice. Degree programs at the university are housed within six major areas that include the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the College of Design, the Graduate College, and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.

Students may also enroll in programs offered by the College of Veterinary Medicine, the College of Human Sciences, the College of Engineering, or the Ivy College of Business. One of the most diverse areas of study at Iowa State University is engineering where students can enroll in traditional engineering programs like civil engineering, computer engineering, and chemical engineering, as well as engineering related to the science of agriculture. Interesting degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering with available study options in land and water resources, bioenvironmental engineering, agricultural power & machinery, or animal production systems.

Distance learning at Iowa State University is available at the undergraduate and graduate level. Students interested in bachelor’s degrees and undergraduate certificates may enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Studies or earn a certificate in Occupational Safety or Swine Science. Other available degrees include a Bachelor of Liberal Studies or a Bachelor of Science in Early Childcare Education & Programming. The list of graduate programs available online is much more extensive and covers topics that include agriculture, business, design, engineering, education, and veterinary medicine. Topics available in the agricultural sciences include agricultural education, community development, seed technology & business, plant breeding, and agronomy.

About Iowa State University

Iowa State University of Science and Technology is a public university in Ames, Iowa with space-grant and land-grant status. Referred to by locals as Iowa State, the university is the largest in the entire state and is also one of the largest universities to participate in the Big 12 athletic conference. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has classified the university as one with the highest research activity, and the university’s motto is “Science with Practice.” The university was established in 1858 as Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm and would grow over the next century and a half to a student body size of almost 35,000. The university’s official colors are gold and cardinal, and the sports teams play as the Cyclones. The school’s home campus covers 1,813 acres in an urban setting.

Iowa State University Accreditation Details

Regional accreditation for Iowa State University comes from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission, and the university is also guided by the Board of Regents in the State of Iowa. In addition, the university is a member of the prestigious academic organization of the Association of American Universities, as well as the Universities Research Association. Other agencies to accredit programs at Iowa State University include the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, which has accredited the engineering programs offered by the College of Engineering. Additional accreditation comes from the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, as well as the American Veterinary Medical Association, Council on Education, and the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation.

Iowa State University Application Requirements

Students who apply to Iowa State University are graded on application standards known as the Regent Admission Index, which places a value on class rank, ACT composite score, cumulative GPA, and the number of high school core courses as defined by the index. Minimum high school course requirements for admission include four years of English, three years of science, three years of math, and two years of social studies. Students who do not meet the minimum Regent Admission Index score are still encouraged to apply as nontraditional students. Applicants who have earned a GED or completed high school through homeschooling are also welcome to apply. Students interested in graduate school will submit similar application items but will focus on their experience in undergraduate school and provide proof of having earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate students who want to attend Iowa State University will pay an estimated $21,608 if they’re a resident of Iowa or $36,012 if they’re a non-resident. International students will pay $39,668. The total cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room & board, books & supplies, and other personal expenses. For graduate students, the total cost of attendance for residents is $23,958 and is $38,220 for non-residents. International students will pay $41,700. Students in the veterinary program will pay a different amount for their program with $38,320 per year for each of their first three years and $37,894 for the final year, as well as $11.556.50 for a summer session. Out-of-state veterinary students will pay $66,286 for their first three years, $56,038 for their final year, and $25,001.50 for the summer session.

When attending Iowa State University, students may qualify for scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. Loan options include federal Direct loans, federal Perkins loans, and Federal Health Professionals Loans (HPSLs). Students in the veterinary program may qualify for special federal Direct Graduate and Veterinary Medicine PLUS loans. Available grants include federal Pell grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, and Iowa State University grants. Some of the institutional scholarships of which students may qualify include the Return to Iowa-Generations Scholarship, the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center Scholarship, or the Hixson Opportunity Award Scholarship. Applicants accepted to any of the programs at Iowa State University should investigate institutional scholarships, as well as grant and scholarship aid from private sources.