From the moment you arrive on campus, you'll be immersed in an environment filled with world-class professors, opportunities to enhance your resume, and cutting-edge facilities designed to help you achieve your dreams.
With 800 student clubs, over 100 majors, and one unforgettable experience, your journey begins here!
Admission decisions will be based on your Regent Admission Index (RAI) score, which is calculated using the following formula:
| ACT composite (or converted SAT) score x 3 | |
| + | Cumulative GPA x 30 |
| + | Number of years of high school core courses x 5 |
| RAI (Regent Admission Index) |
Applicants with an RAI score of at least 245 and who meet the minimum high school course requirements will be automatically offered admission.
Applicants who achieve an RAI score below 245 but still meet the minimum high school course requirements may also be considered for admission through an individual academic review of their application materials.
Iowa State is test-optional for first-year applicants. Students may choose whether they wish to self-report their ACT/SAT scores when they apply for admission. For those who choose not to submit an ACT or SAT score, admission will be based on high school GPA and completion of core course requirements. CLT scores can also be submitted for consideration.
High school students seeking direct admission to Iowa State University must fulfill the minimum high school course requirements outlined below:
| Subject | Requirement | Description |
|---|---|---|
| English/Language Arts | 4 years | Emphasizing writing, speaking, and reading, as well as an understanding and appreciation of literature |
| Mathematics | 3 years | Including one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra |
| Science | 3 years | Including at least two years of courses which emphasize elements of biology, chemistry, or physics |
| Social Studies | 2 years |
In addition to the high school course requirements listed above, students applying to the College of Engineering must complete two years of a single foreign language. For those applying to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a third year of social studies and two years of a single foreign language are required.
Students graduating from high school in Puerto Rico are automatically deemed to have met Iowa State's English proficiency requirement, regardless of whether they indicate that English is their primary language.
Nontraditional students are subject to the same high school course requirements as all incoming first-year students. However, since research indicates that standard indicators of high school performance (such as GPA and class rank) may not always accurately predict academic success for nontraditional students, those with an RAI score below 245 are still encouraged to apply for admission.
General Equivalency Diploma (GED) applicants are welcome to enroll at Iowa State University. The specific GED score requirements for admission depend upon when the GED test was taken.
Applicants who have achieved an overall average score at the 50th percentile or higher with no score lower than the 45th percentile will be offered admission. Applicants are also required to achieve GED sub-test scores at the 75th percentile for subject areas in which they did not satisfy the Minimum High School Course Requirements for Admission.
Applicants who have achieved a score of 170 or higher on each of the four content areas (Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies) will be offered admission.
Iowa uses the HiSET exam as the official assessment for individuals seeking a high school equivalency diploma. The HiSET consists of five sub-tests: Language Arts (Reading), Language Arts (Writing), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Each sub-test is scored on a scale from 1-20, with a score of 8 considered "passing" and 15 deemed "college ready." The total HiSET score ranges from 1-100.
First-year applicants with a minimum total score of 75 and at least 15 on each sub-test will be automatically offered admission. Those not meeting these criteria will be evaluated individually.
Iowa State welcomes home-schooled students each year as first-year applicants.
In addition to the first-year application, home-schooled students are required to submit:
Applicants may choose to submit ACT or SAT scores, which must be sent directly from the testing agency.
GPA policy for home-schooled students
When calculating GPA, only grades assigned by an independent entity (such as a high school, college, or accredited online program) are included. Home-schooled students must have completed at least 12 semester credits of college-level coursework or 5 Carnegie units of high school-level coursework (or a combination) to establish a GPA.
Applicants without enough independently assigned grades will undergo individual review, which includes a holistic evaluation of their academic record, ACT/SAT scores, high school core classes, and additional coursework.
