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Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa

31,105 Students on Campus
Ames Location
69,026 Metro Population
31,105 Students on Campus
Ames Location
69,026 Metro Population

About This Campus

Iowa State is an international university with a friendly, welcoming personality. As a top research institution and the nation's first land-grant school, ISU is known for innovations in bio-renewable resources, technology, and communication, and offers nationally recognized programs in the sciences and humanities across six colleges. Our students are from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, actively engaging in research, studying with world-class scholars, and enhancing leadership skills through 850+ student organizations and an exceptional extracurricular environment. The lush, sprawling 1800-acre park-like campus is ranked as one of the country's most beautiful throughout the four seasons, and includes the largest U.S. campus public art collection. We are proud of Cyclone Athletics, with 16 nationally competitive programs in the Big 12 Conference.

Recognized as one of the 25 most beautiful campuses in the country

Iowa State is widely recognized as a top research university

Explore your interests and make connections with 800+ student clubs and orgs!

Helpful Information

Fall course registration begins in March after our spring break. Admission processes require ~2 weeks before you can register for classes; students should act promptly after placement. Prerequisite overrides require unofficial transcripts and approval by the department/college. Non-native English speakers must provide TOEFL prior to admission. International students can be accepted on an F1 and J1 visa and will have a mandatory orientation before NSE orientation.

Location Information

Ames is a friendly college town centrally located in the midwest. Ranked a "Best College Town" by the American Institute for Economic Research and a Money Magazine "Top 10 Best Places to Live in America." Ames has reliable public transportation called CyRide, which students can ride for free with an ID card. Campus is ~45 minutes by car from Des Moines (nearest airport), the state's capital and a center for insurance, finance, communications, and tech startups.

Academics

TERM DATES:

Fall Start Date: 08/25/2025 - Fall End Date: 12/19/2025

Spring Start Date: 01/20/2026 - Spring End Date: 05/05/2026

Summer Start Date: 05/18/2026 - Summer End Date: 08/07/2026

CLOSED PROGRAMS:

College of Design studio courses.

RESTRICTED/LIMITED PROGRAMS:

College of Engineering requires 3.0 GPA. Course flexibility is important as enrollment is competitive.

OTHER ACADEMIC INFORMATION:

Students seeking enrollment in courses with prerequisites must provide an unofficial transcript, and are subject to approval by the department or college, which can delay registration. Please be prepared to share an unofficial transcript ASAP with coordinators after placement.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS:
OPTIONS:

Honors Access: Yes

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS OPEN TO NSE STUDENTS:

Conditions

GPA AND OTHER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS:
EXCHANGE PREFERENCES:
  • Full Year Exchange: Accepted
  • Single Term Exchange: Accepted
  • Summer Exchange: Summer Only Accepted
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS (Visa Students):
  • Receive from Canada: Will Accept Away/Home Pay
  • Does your campus accept International Students (those already in the U.S. on a student visa)?Home or Away
CANADIAN EXCHANGE:
Learn More
  • Accept international students studying in Canada on a visa? - Yes
  • Accept Canadian students on J1 visa or F1 visa? - F1 Visa

Tuition/Finance

Figures per Semester are current as of 11/24/2025
TUITION:
  • Campus Budget
  • Fees are subject to change without notice
  • Home Tuition Payment: Available
  • Away Tuition Payment: Available
    Estimated cost:
    Per Term Tuition (Resident-Rate) - $5395
    Per Term Mandatory Fees - $0
MAXIMUM CREDIT HOURS PER SEMESTER:
  • Home Payment: 18
  • Host Payment: 18
MISCELLANEOUS FEES:
Purpose
Amount
Period
Plan
Status
NSE Program Fee
$50
Term
Away & Home
Mandatory
Parking Fee
$176
Year
Away & Home
Optional
Textbook Rental
$259
Term
Away & Home
Optional
Orientation Fee
$45
Term
Away & Home
Optional
IMPORTANT NOTES:

HEALTH INSURANCE: All NSE students with non-U.S. Citizenship will be assessed student health insurance during Iowa State enrollment, regardless of NSE payment plan. You MAY be eligible for a waiver if your current institution insurance or Canadian health insurance covers required items. AY24-25 current cost for the fall term is $1025 and the spring term is $1435. More info at https://sship.hr.iastate.edu/undergraduategraduate-students. PARKING: Price for residence halls or commuter pass is shown. Cheaper option is available at the stadium lot. IMMEDIATE ACCESS: Iowa State offers online course materials for a flat fee through the Immediate Access program; all students are automatically enrolled in the program. If you prefer to purchase physical copies or want to opt-out, you will need to do so by the end of the first week of courses. More info at https://www.isubookstore.com/immediate-access-one-students.

Canadian students may incur additional fees relating to their student visa and services provided by the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office.

Financial Aid for NSE Students. Regardless of Payment Plan, financial aid is awarded by and disbursed from your home campus.

Room/Meals

Figures per Semester are current as of 12/29/2025
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING PER SEMESER:
  • Is on-campus housing available? Yes
  • Is on-campus living required? No
  • Number of reserved housing spaces: 30
  • Average Room Cost (per term): $850
  • On-Campus Housing
Off-CAMPUS HOUSING:
NOTES ABOUT ON-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Fredericksen Court is a highly recommended choice; however, all on-campus housing options are comfortable and conveniently located for students.

NOTES ABOUT OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING:

Off-campus housing can be found on Apartments.com, Zillow and on Facebook groups or marketplace.

MEAL PLANS:
  • Are meal plans available on campus? Yes
  • Is a meal plan purchase required for on-campus, non-apartment residence halls? Yes
  • Average Meal Plan Cost (per term): $2372
  • Campus Meal Plans
NOTES ABOUT MEAL PLANS:

Meal plans are required in residence halls EXCEPT Linden, Wallace, or Wilson; apartments/off-campus have optional meal plans. Plans consist of a combination of dining center meals and Dining Dollars. Meals can be used in all dining centers and in certain campus retail locations. Dining Dollars can be used in any ISU Dining Center location, including on-campus convenience store-type locations. Meal plans are listed here https://www.dining.iastate.edu/meal-plans/residence-halls/

Fees are subject to change without notice.

Chance of Acceptance

Priority Placements for Academic Year 26/27

If this is your top choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Good

This campus accepts many (50-74%) applicants. You definitely want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

If this is your alternate choice campus...

Home Tuition Payment Plan

Good

This campus accepts many (50-74%) applicants. You definitely want to consider adding alternate choice campuses marked as OPEN or EXCELLENT to ensure placement.

Away Tuition Payment Plan

Open

This campus usually accepts all eligible applicants. Apply and start packing your bags!

Resources

CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA: