Getting in
For Fall 2025, 31,454 first-year students applied to Iowa, 25,131 were admitted and 5,561 enrolled: an acceptance rate of 79.9%.
Source: University of Iowa Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-state | 5,892 | 4,984 | 84.6% |
| Out-of-state | 24,060 | 19,510 | 81.1% |
| International | 1,502 | 637 | 42.4% |
Source: University of Iowa Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. Iowa's Common Data Set reports one first-year acceptance rate for the whole university, with no rate by college or major.
Source: University of Iowa Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early action. Iowa has no early decision plan. Admissions calls its November 2 deadline early action, with decisions by late January, but the Common Data Set reports no early action plan and no early counts, so there is no early acceptance rate.
Source: University of Iowa Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
First-year students enter Liberal Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Business, Nursing, Public Health or Education. Each college sets its own bar:
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The high school course requirements and a Regent Admission Index (RAI) of 245 or higher for Iowa residents, 255 or higher for other states. You can be admitted without a test score.
Source: Iowa Admissions, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences First-Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- College of Engineering. Direct admission with an RAI of 265 or higher and the course requirements, with math and science grades weighed most. You can be admitted without a test score. If not admitted directly, you start in Liberal Arts and Sciences as an Engineering Interest major and apply later.
Source: Iowa Admissions, College of Engineering First-Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Tippie College of Business. Direct admission to the BBA with the course requirements, a 26 ACT or 1230 SAT, and a 3.60 GPA. Meeting the courses and either the score or the GPA gets careful consideration, and you may be admitted without a score. Students in review learn their Tippie status by March 19.
Source: Iowa Admissions, Tippie College of Business First-Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- College of Nursing. Up to 168 students win direct admission. Apply with a Nursing major by November 2. An ACT or SAT score is required: 24 ACT or 1160 SAT for Iowa residents, 26 or 1230 for others, with a 3.80 GPA. The supplemental application is due December 7, 2026, interviews run in January 2027, and decisions come in late February to early March.
Source: Iowa Admissions, College of Nursing First-Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: Iowa Admissions, First-Year Admissions (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
116 majors across 8 schools. Every bachelor's degree program in Iowa's official 2026-27 General Catalog, grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Minors, certificates and graduate programs are left out.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences73
- Actuarial Science (BS)
- Ancient Civilization (BA)
- Anthropology (BA)
- Anthropology (BS)
- Art History (BA)
- Art (BA)
- Art (BFA)
- Asian Languages and Literature (BA)
- Astronomy (BA)
- Astronomy (BS)
- Biology (BA)
- Biology (BS)
- Biomedical Sciences (BS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Cinema (BA)
- Communication Studies (BA)
- Computer Science (BA)
- Computer Science (BS)
- Criminology, Law, and Justice (BA)
- Dance (BA)
- Dance (BFA)
- Data Science (BS)
- Earth and Environmental Sciences (BA)
- Earth and Environmental Sciences (BS)
- English and Creative Writing (BA)
- English (BA)
- Enterprise Leadership (BA)
- Environmental Policy and Planning (BA)
- Ethics and Public Policy (BA)
- Exercise Science (BS)
- French (BA)
- Geographical and Sustainability Sciences (BA)
- Geographical and Sustainability Sciences (BS)
- German (BA)
- Global Health Studies (BA)
- Global Health Studies (BS)
- Health Promotion (BS)
- Health Studies (BA)
- History (BA)
- Human Physiology (BS)
- Informatics (BA)
- Informatics (BS)
- Interdepartmental Studies (BA)
- International Relations (BA)
- International Relations (BS)
- International Studies (BA)
- Journalism and Mass Communication (BA)
- Linguistics (BA)
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics (BS)
- Music (BA)
- Music (BM)
- Neuroscience (BS)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Physics (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Political Science (BA)
- Political Science (BS)
- Psychology (BA)
- Psychology (BS)
- Religious Studies (BA)
- Screenwriting Arts (BA)
- Social Work (BA)
- Sociology (BA)
- Spanish (BA)
- Speech and Hearing Science (BA)
- Sport Media and Culture (BA)
- Sport and Recreation Management (BS)
- Statistics (BS)
- Theatre Arts (BA)
- Therapeutic Recreation (BS)
- Translation (BA)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Tippie College of Business10
- Accounting (BBA)
- Business Analytics and Information Systems (BBA)
- Economics (BA)
- Economics (BBA)
- Economics (BS)
- Entrepreneurship (BBA)
- Finance (BBA)
- Management (BBA)
- Marketing (BBA)
- Risk Management and Insurance (BBA)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Engineering10
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE)
- Biomedical Engineering (BSE)
- Chemical Engineering (BSE)
- Civil Engineering (BSE)
- Computer Engineering (BSE)
- Computer Science and Engineering (BSE)
- Electrical Engineering (BSE)
- Environmental Engineering (BSE)
- Industrial Engineering (BSE)
- Mechanical Engineering (BSE)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Nursing1
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Education12
- Art Education (BA)
- Counseling and Behavioral Health Services (BA)
- Education Studies and Human Relations (BA)
- Elementary Education (BA)
- English Education (BA)
- Mathematics Education (BA)
- Music Education (BA)
- Science Education (BA)
- Science Studies (BS)
- Social Studies Education (BA)
- Special Education (BA)
- World Language Education (BA)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Public Health2
- Public Health (BA)
- Public Health (BS)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Carver College of Medicine6
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BA)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BS)
- Medical Laboratory Science (BS)
- Microbiology (BS)
- Nuclear Medicine Technology (BS)
- Radiation Sciences (BS)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
University College2
- Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS)
- Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS)
Source: University of Iowa 2026-27 General Catalog, Your Program (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 2 | On or before late January | No |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | On or before early March | No |
Documents are due November 9 for Early Action and February 8 for Regular Decision. Decisions are made on a rolling basis. After February 1 you are admitted only case by case, as space allows, and are not eligible for merit scholarships.
Source: Iowa Admissions, ACT and SAT Test Scores (Fall 2027) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Iowa is test-optional for general admission with a "no harm" policy: scores are used only if they help your admission or merit scholarship review. You can enter a score on the application or apply without one. Iowa does not superscore. Some programs need scores, Nursing direct admission among them. For scholarships, new scores must arrive by February 8, 2027, from tests taken by December 12, 2026.
Source: Iowa Admissions, ACT and SAT Test Scores (Fall 2027) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set also marks the SAT or ACT as not required for fall 2027 applicants, but considered if submitted, with scores due by May 1, and notes that the Iowa Board of Regents made the option permanent.
Source: University of Iowa Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked Iowa's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: Iowa Admissions, ACT and SAT Test Scores (Fall 2027) (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at Iowa, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | $11,971 | $34,247 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $14,022 | $14,022 |
| Books and supplies | $950 | $950 |
| Personal expenses | $3,648 | $3,648 |
| Transportation | $1,254 | $1,254 |
| Total | $31,845 | $54,121 |
For a full-time undergraduate living on campus, fall and spring, including the one-time $250 records fee for new students. Iowa calls these estimates. Business, engineering, nursing and some health science students pay more tuition.
Source: Iowa Admissions, Tuition and Estimated Costs (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $15,316 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $15,489 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $19,930 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $23,811 |
| Over $110,000 | $26,266 |
| All incomes | $22,531 |
What first-year, full-time, in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from Iowa's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to University of Iowa on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
University of MissouriColumbia, MO · Public78.5% admitted$20,268 average net price
Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Public87.9% admitted$18,589 average net price
University of Minnesota Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN · Public78.9% admitted$16,778 average net price
Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MO · Public78.6% admitted$16,298 average net price
Wichita State UniversityWichita, KS · Public72.2% admitted$13,194 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.