Admission & test scores

Iowa State University SAT scores and acceptance rate

Admitted students scored 1120–1360 on the SAT, with an ACT midpoint of 25. Iowa State University admits 89% of applicants — largely open. 88% of first-year students return for a second year.

SAT range1120–1360middle half of admits
ACT midpoint25admitted students
Acceptance rate89%largely open
First-year retention88%return for year two

Reading the score band These are the scores admitted students had — not a cut-off.

25th percentile
1120
Average
1204
75th percentile
1360

A quarter of admitted students scored below 1120 and a quarter above 1360. Being under the lower figure does not rule you out — it means the rest of the application has to carry more weight — and being above the upper one does not secure a place at a selective university. This intake sits inside a student body of about 25,367.

Universities with similar scores Useful for building a realistic application list.

UniversityAvg SATACTAcceptanceIn-state tuition
Elizabethtown College Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania 1204 26 78% $37,950
University of Missouri-Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri 1204 26 72% $12,587
Meredith College Raleigh, North Carolina 1204 26 74% $45,630
Jacksonville University Jacksonville, Florida 1205 23 57% $47,830
Anderson University Anderson, South Carolina 1202 — 55% $34,970
United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, New York 1207 27 34% $895

Getting in is the first question, not the last

Admission data says nothing about what the degree costs or returns. Before accepting an offer, read the net price for your family's income and the earnings of previous graduates — a place at a selective university financed with heavy borrowing can be a worse outcome than a place at a less selective one that costs little.

Iowa State University admission: common questions

What SAT score do you need for Iowa State University?
The middle half of admitted students scored between 1120 and 1360 on the SAT, with an average of 1204. A score inside that band is competitive; below it you would be relying on the rest of the application.
What ACT score does Iowa State University require?
The ACT midpoint of admitted students is 25.
How hard is it to get into Iowa State University?
Iowa State University admits 89% of applicants, which is largely open. Of those who enrol, 88% return for a second year.
Does Iowa State University require SAT or ACT scores?
This page reports what admitted students scored, not what the university requires. Many US universities went test-optional and have not returned to a requirement — always check the admissions page before deciding to skip a test.
What it costs Student loan record Debt vs graduate salary Highest SAT universities Highest acceptance rates SAT & ACT preparation

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard — SAT/ACT scores of admitted students, acceptance rate and first-year retention as most recently published. Scores describe past intakes and are not an entry requirement.