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Iowa Colleges Admission Statistics

Iowa Best Schools Compare All Iowa Schools Tightest to Admit Highest SAT Scores IA Collegs by SAT score
Acceptance Rate 74.91%
Yield (Enrollment Ratio) 21.96%
Applicants 121,314
Admitted 90,879
Enrolled 19,957

Applying To Iowa Colleges

The average acceptance rate is 74.91% at Iowa colleges and universities, a total of 121,314 students applied and 90,879 were accepted. The average undergraduate application fees is $57 and the graduate application fees is $48. The following table presents the general admission information for applying to Iowa colleges.
General Admission Information of Iowa Colleges
Open Admission Policy39 out of 75 schools
Undergraduate Application Fees$57
Graduate Application Fees$48
Acceptance Rate74.91%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)21.96%
Test Scores1,164 SAT / 23 ACT

Acceptance Rates and Headcounts

For the academic year 2024-2025, total 121,314 students (59,353 men and 61,169 women) applied to and 90,879 (42,727 men and 47,733 women) students were accepted to admit Iowa Colleges. Among them, 9,610 men and 10,259 women were enrolled into Iowa schools.
The average acceptance rate is 74.91% and admission yield (enrollment rate) is 21.96%. The table below shows the Iowa colleges admission statistics including admission and enrolment rates.
Admission Statistics for Iowa Colleges (2024-2025)
TotalMenWomen
Applicants121,31459,35361,169
Admitted90,87942,72747,733
Enrolled19,9579,61010,259
Acceptance Rate 74.91% 71.99% 78.03%
Yield (Enrollment Rate) 21.96% 22.49% 21.49%
[Chart]Iowa Colleges Average Acceptance Rate and Yield

Average SAT and ACT Scores

In Iowa, 1 college requires SAT and ACT score and 0 colleges recommend them to their applicant. In addition, 23 colleges consider the test score in selection process, while it is not required.
2,307 students (10.00%) submitted their SAT scores and 7,689 students (30.00%) submitted their ACT scores for seeking degrees. For score submitters, SAT 75th percentile score is 1,274 and 25th percentile score is 1,053. For ACT scores, 75th percentile score is 26 and 25th percentile score is 20.
The following table shows the detailed SAT and ACT scores distribution of first-time enrolled students at Iowa colleges and universities.
SAT and ACT Score Distribution at Iowa Colleges
25th Percentile75th Percentile
Evidence-Based Reading and Writing533639
SAT Math520635
ACT Composite2026
ACT Math1925
ACT English1926
[Chart] SAT/ACT Distribution - Iowa Colleges
[Chart] Average SAT Scores - Iowa Colleges
[Chart] Average ACT Scores - Iowa Colleges

Calendar System and Accepted Credits

In Iowa State, 44 schools use semester calendar systems and 0 schools are based on quarter system. Next table lists the number of schools with their calendar systems.
Semester44 out of 75 schools
Quarter0 out of 75 schools
Trimester3 out of 75 schools
Four-one-four plan6 out of 75 schools
Other academic year2 out of 75 schools
Differs by program8 out of 75 schools
Continuous12 out of 75 schools
Next table describes credits that Iowa colleges and universities are accepting for their students
Dual Credits48 out of 75 schools
Credits for Life Experiences36 out of 75 schools
Advanced placement (AP) Credits51 out of 75 schools
Credit for Military Training42 out of 75 schools

Application Requirements

29 Iowa schools require High School GPA and 25 schools require High School Record (or Transcript). The test scores such as SAT and ACT are required by 1 Iowa colleges. Next table summarizes the application requirements for applying to Iowa colleges.
Admission Checklist for Iowa Colleges
RequiredRecommended
High School GPA290
High School Rank00
High School Record (or Transcript)250
Completion of College Preparatory Program50
Recommendations30
Formal Demonstration of Competencies00
Admission Test Scores10
TOEFL250
Other Test (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)00
Know about Iowa Colleges