Iowa State University Acceptance Rate
Ames, Iowa · Public · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 22,995
- Admitted
- 20,496
- Yield
- 28.6%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Iowa State University's acceptance rate has risen from 86.9% in 2014–15 to 89.1% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 18,399 to 22,995 (+25%) over that period.
Its 89.1% rate makes Iowa State University more selective than about 23% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 26 tracked Iowa schools, it is more selective than about 19%.
Iowa State University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 28.6% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 18,399 | 15,990 | 86.9% | 6,041 |
| 2015–16 | 19,164 | 16,702 | 87.2% | 6,230 |
| 2016–17 | 19,433 | 17,002 | 87.5% | 6,325 |
| 2017–18 | 19,262 | 17,208 | 89.3% | 5,944 |
| 2018–19 | 18,855 | 17,082 | 90.6% | 6,047 |
| 2019–20 | 18,246 | 16,796 | 92.1% | 5,597 |
| 2020–21 | 20,223 | 17,882 | 88.4% | 5,071 |
| 2021–22 | 20,357 | 18,550 | 91.1% | 5,387 |
| 2022–23 | 21,919 | 19,776 | 90.2% | 5,728 |
| 2023–24 | 22,995 | 20,496 | 89.1% | 5,859 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 10,849 | 9,826 | 90.6% |
| Men | 12,146 | 10,670 | 87.8% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 550–660 | 10% |
| SAT Math | 560–690 | |
| ACT Composite | 21–28 | 51% |
How Iowa State University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Iowa State University's acceptance rate?
Iowa State University's acceptance rate is 89.1% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (20,496 admitted of 22,995 applicants).
Is Iowa State University test optional?
Iowa State University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Iowa State University?
Iowa State University received 22,995 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 20,496.
What SAT score do you need for Iowa State University?
Admitted students at Iowa State University typically scored 550–660 on SAT Reading/Writing and 560–690 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Iowa State University getting harder to get into?
Iowa State University has become easier to get into: its acceptance rate went from 86.9% in 2014–15 to 89.1% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.iastate.edu/.