More selective than 36% of Iowa colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
19% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 59% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose University of Iowa over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
University of Iowa SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, University of Iowa is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 570 | 670 |
| SAT math | 560 | 660 |
| ACT composite | 21 | 28 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1130 | 1330 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
University of Iowa admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 84% | 570–670 | 560–660 | 21–28 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 85% | 570–660 | 560–660 | 22–28 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is University of Iowa compared with other Iowa colleges?
University of Iowa has the 19th-lowest acceptance rate of 29 Iowa colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | St Luke's College | 80% | 100% | $19,820 |
| 16 | Northwestern College | 80% | 66% | $25,907 |
| 17 | Graceland University-Lamoni | 81% | 42% | $18,504 |
| 18 | Mount Mercy University | 83% | 58% | $20,168 |
| 19 | University of Iowa | 84% | 75% | $22,531 |
| 20 | Central College | 86% | 66% | $23,377 |
| 21 | Simpson College | 86% | 63% | $21,936 |
| 22 | University of Dubuque | 89% | 40% | $23,386 |
| 23 | Iowa State University | 89% | 75% | $18,589 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Iowa colleges →
Who enrolls at University of Iowa
College Scorecard; IPEDS
University of Iowa admissions questions
What is the University of Iowa acceptance rate?
University of Iowa accepts 84% of applicants, most. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 21,746 of 25,682 applicants were admitted.
Does University of Iowa require the SAT or ACT?
University of Iowa considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 19% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 59% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for University of Iowa?
The middle 50% of University of Iowa enrolled first-year students scored 1130–1330 on the SAT and 21–28 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at University of Iowa?
23% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (5,064 of 21,746).
Is University of Iowa getting harder to get into?
University of Iowa accepted 84% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 85% for Fall 2023.
Is University of Iowa the right fit for your family?
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Iowa overview