Iowa Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements

University of Iowa is not selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of University of Iowa (Iowa) is 86.21%, meaning that approximately 86 out of every 100 applicants are admitted.

Although the acceptance rate is high, you still need to convince the admission staff that you are both mentally and physically fit for the course of studies. More importantly, your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. If you did not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths in other areas, as Iowa is not very strict in its admissions process, so improving other areas will help you secure admission.

You need to perform well in academics and other activities. However, since the acceptance rate is above 50%, you still have a chance even if your GPA is not excellent. You can compensate for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

A well-written letter of recommendation, participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and strong interpersonal communication skills can enhance your chances of admission.

University of Iowa Admission Requirements

Iowa GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at Iowa is 3.6. This indicates that Iowa is very selective in terms of GPA. (Most schools report a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff.)

With an average GPA of 3.6, Iowa requires you to be near the top of your class. You need to score mostly A's in all classes to have a good chance of admission. A few B's won't hurt much, but more B's may put you in a lower category. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability, especially in areas related to your chosen course of study. For example, if you're planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus, and physics will help.

If your GPA is less than 3.6 and higher than 3.3, you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need a minimum of 3.2 GPA to secure admission at Iowa. Below this, your chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into Iowa Without SAT Or ACT?

University of Iowa requires test (SAT/ACT) scores to determine merit for admission. This means that students will not be allowed to apply without test scores. Hence, you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT/ACT tests. Check the test schedule and plan accordingly. It is advisable to take the test multiple times unless you score well above the average SAT/ACT scores of admitted students, as shown below. Normally, students may take the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores.

University of Iowa (Iowa) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

University of Iowa Average SAT Score: 1236
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Iowa is a 1236 on the 1600 SAT scale. This score makes it slightly competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do well to score 1236 on SAT.
If your score is lower than 1130, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admission at Iowa. It is not unusual to take the SAT multiple times to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have taken the test multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

SAT 25th Percentile: 1130
SAT 75th Percentile: 1350

It means that if you have scored less than 1130, then you are below most of the admitted students at Iowa and your chances of admission are slim. But if you have scored 1350 or more, then your chances of admission are higher. The 25th percentile means that only 25% of admitted students have a score lower than this. The 75th percentile marks the score of the top 25% of students.

View list of all colleges with an average SAT score of 1250

Can I get into University of Iowa (Iowa) with a 1350 SAT?

With a 1350 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Iowa (Iowa) are good, but the admission staff at Iowa considers your overall personality and academic performance. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. If you did not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas. Improving in other areas will help you secure admission. A high GPA, taking IB or AP courses, and leadership roles will definitely increase your chances of admission. However, if you perform well in all areas, then your chances of admission are high.

University of Iowa (Iowa) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at University of Iowa is 26.

This score makes University of Iowa Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 26 on the ACT.
ACT 25th Percentile: 22
ACT 75th Percentile: 29

View the list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 26.

Can I get into University of Iowa with a 29 ACT?

With a 29 ACT Score, your chances of admission at University of Iowa are good, but the admission staff does not consider your ACT score only. The college admission process assesses your overall personality and academic performance. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT/test scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. If you did not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas. Improving in other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT vs ACT: Which Score to Send

You can compare your SAT and ACT scores to the average SAT and ACT scores of admitted students at University of Iowa. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your SAT score is close to the 75th percentile, you should send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you should send your ACT score.

But there’s more: if both of your scores are in the same range, it is better to send the ACT score because, with the ACT, you can control which score to send, unlike the SAT.

Here’s how: When sending an ACT score, you can decide which score you want to send to colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report includes all of your attempts.

View the list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 26.

Iowa Profile

Name: University of Iowa (Iowa)

City: Iowa City

URL: www.uiowa.edu/

State: Iowa

Type: Public

Zip: 52242-1316

Campus: Main

Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)

How Much Does a Degree from Iowa Cost?

The average annual cost of a degree at University of Iowa is USD: 25376. Since most students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants, the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Iowa is USD: 19443

How Can I Get a Scholarship?

18.86% of the students receive Pell Grants, and 41.09% receive federal grants. So, it is a wise choice to attend Iowa and apply for Pell or federal loan grants.

At University of Iowa, you should have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Be sure to fill out the FAFSA application form as early as possible and list Iowa as your choice on the form.

How Much Does a Iowa Graduate Earn?

The average annual salary of a Iowa graduate 4-6 years after graduation is USD 62670. On average, a Iowa graduate earns this amount 10 years after enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD 36,834.

Iowa Degree Programs

University of Iowa offers following degree programs.

Bachelor Programs

Full list of All degree programs offered by University of Iowa.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.