Iowa State University

Iowa State University is a public research university in Ames, IA, known for its land grant university, engineering focused, and high acceptance rate. With an acceptance rate of 90%, ISU is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 5,728 students each year. ISU is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1130–1350, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Students who apply Early Decision are admitted at 88%, meaningfully higher than the regular decision rate of 56%, making Early Decision a meaningful strategic consideration. ISU offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $6,438 per year; the sticker price of $37,964 may look very different from what your family actually pays.