Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $24,018. College Scorecard.
Net price by family income
Average after grants and scholarships for Iowa residents receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard, latest reported year
Sticker price, line by line
| Per year, living on campus | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $10,787 | $28,881 |
| Housing & meals | $9,726 | $9,726 |
| Books & supplies | $1,091 | $1,091 |
| Personal & travel | $2,890 | $2,890 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$476 | −$476 |
| Total cost of attendance | $24,018 | $42,112 |
Cost items: IPEDS 2023-24, on-campus budget. Total: College Scorecard, which averages students living on and off campus; the adjustment row reconciles the two. Out-of-state total = in-state total with out-of-state tuition.
Debt after graduation
College Scorecard; Urban Institute Education Data Portal
Who gets aid
College Scorecard
ISU net price compared with other Iowa colleges
ISU has the 7th-lowest average net price of 30 Iowa colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Avg. net price | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | University of Northern Iowa | $15,901 | 68% | $55,177 |
| 4 | Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary | $16,282 | 68% | $40,650 |
| 5 | Grinnell College | $17,648 | 88% | $62,830 |
| 6 | Graceland University-Lamoni | $18,504 | 42% | $47,361 |
| 7 | Iowa State University | $18,589 | 75% | $63,386 |
| 8 | Coe College | $18,745 | 66% | $57,125 |
| 9 | Buena Vista University | $18,846 | 62% | $49,156 |
| 10 | St Luke's College | $19,820 | 100% | $61,033 |
| 11 | Mount Mercy University | $20,168 | 58% | $60,787 |
College Scorecard, latest year. Average for all aided students; your price depends on income. All Iowa colleges →
Why ISU costs more or less than similar schools
| School | Acceptance | You'd pay | Graduation | Earnings, 10 yrs | Price gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University | 89% | $18,589 | 75% | $63,386 | This school |
| University of Iowa | 84% | $22,531 | 75% | $64,762 | |
| University of Northern Iowa | 93% | $15,901 | 68% | $55,177 |
College Scorecard, latest reported year. “You'd pay” follows your residency and income choices above.
Why the price is different
Iowa State University would cost you $3,942 less per year than University of Iowa, on average.
- Lower sticker price at Iowa State University, mostly from lower housing & meal costs (−$2,890).
- University of Iowa gives aided families $636 more in grants, on average.
| Per year, Iowa resident | ISU | University of Iowa | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | $10,787 | $11,283 | −$496 |
| Books & supplies | $1,091 | $950 | +$141 |
| Housing & meals | $9,726 | $12,616 | −$2,890 |
| Personal & travel | $2,890 | $4,066 | −$1,176 |
| Living-at-home adjustment | −$476 | −$319 | −$157 |
| Sticker price | $24,018 | $28,596 | −$4,578 |
| Average grants | −$5,429 | −$6,065 | +$636 |
| You pay | $18,589 | $22,531 | −$3,942 |
“+” means ISU costs more; “−” means it costs less. Grants are the sticker price minus the net price. Cost items: IPEDS, on-campus budget. Sticker and net price: College Scorecard, latest reported year; the adjustment reconciles the two. Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote.
ISU cost questions
How much is tuition at ISU?
Tuition and fees are $10,787 a year for Iowa residents and $28,881 for out-of-state students.
What is the total cost of attending ISU?
The total cost of attendance, including housing, meals, books and personal costs, is $24,018 a year for Iowa residents living on campus and about $42,112 for out-of-state students.
What do families actually pay at ISU?
After grants and scholarships, students receiving federal aid pay $18,589 a year on average. Families earning $0–30k pay $10,582; $48–75k pay $15,463; $110k+ pay $22,496. These figures are for Iowa residents.
How much debt do ISU graduates have?
The median federal loan debt at graduation is $18,750, and 2.4% of borrowers defaulted within three years of entering repayment (2017 cohort).
Is ISU the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS; Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-By). Net price is an average for first-time, full-time students receiving federal aid, not a quote; confirm with the school's net price calculator. Back to Iowa State University overview