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University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa
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Admit Rate
84%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Accessible
Cost of Attendance
$28,596
$50,684 out-of-state
Test Policy
SAT/ACT optional‡ (source: University of Iowa admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026)

Direct Admission to the College of Nursing requires an ACT or SAT score, though admission to the university does not.

Data sourced from IPEDS, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy and deadlines checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
4 years English3-4 years math3-4 years lab science3 years social studies2 years foreign language

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
The Common App. Common App requirements grid
Test scores
Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. Direct Admission to the College of Nursing requires an ACT or SAT score, though admission to the university does not. University of Iowa admissions
Application fee
$55. The Common App fee waiver is accepted for U.S. students only. Common App requirements grid
Deadlines
Early Action November 2, Regular Decision February 1. University of Iowa admissions
Overall
84%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% SAT
1130-1330 (EBRW 570-670, Math 560-660); ACT 21-28
SAT/ACT optional
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Finance
  2. 2Exercise Science and Kinesiology
  3. 3Behavioral Sciences
  4. 4Marketing
  5. 5Nursing
  6. 6Liberal Arts and Sciences
  7. 7Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (other)
  8. 8Organizational Leadership
  9. 9Labor and Industrial Relations
  10. 10Speech Communication and Rhetoric

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so University of Iowa may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: University of Iowa admissions · 2026-27)
Early Action
November 2 · Non-binding
Regular Decision
February 1 · Non-binding

Applying through the Common App

Application fee
$55 U.S., $80 international
Common App fee waiver
Accepted for U.S. students only

Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.

Essay details are being verified

College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.

View official application requirements

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division I (FBS)
Varsity sports (14)
BaseballBasketballField hockeyFootballGolfGymnasticsRowingSoccerSoftballSwimming and divingTennisTrack and field and cross countryVolleyballWrestling
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Academics

Flagship Programs

Iowa Writers' Workshop (undergraduate creative writing pipeline)Tippie College of Business

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
Creative WritingHealth SciencesBusinessPublic Health
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Writing + Health HumanitiesBusiness Analytics

Cost

In-state cost of attendance
$28,596* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Out-of-state cost of attendance
$50,684* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
In-state $11,283* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Out-of-state $33,371* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$15,316
$30,001 – $48,000
$15,489
$48,001 – $75,000
$19,930
$75,001 – $110,000
$23,811
Over $110,000
$26,266

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.public.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

Not marketed as an automatic-scale merit school; no published GPA/SAT scholarship chart was identified from public sources.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Iowa City, Iowa· Small City
Undergraduates
22,738
Setting
Small City
In a fraternity or sorority
Not publicly reported
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†University of Iowa admissions · 2026-27

‡University of Iowa admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 29, 2026

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