Is Iowa test optional?

We haven't confirmed Iowa's test policy for 2026–27. Check their admissions site; many colleges have changed their policy since 2020.

What is Iowa's acceptance rate?

84% of applicants were admitted in 2024–25, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 23,222 of 27,770 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 6%, from 26,222 in 2015 to 27,770 in 2024, and Iowa's admit rate went from 81% to 84%.

What ACT score do you need for Iowa?

57% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 21–28, with a median of 24. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1140–1313 works out to about 23–28.

What GPA do you need for Iowa?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.83 high school GPA, and 38% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

How many students get off the waitlist at Iowa?

13 of the 13,969 students who stayed on the waitlist were admitted, or 0.1%, per the Common Data Set 2024–25.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for Iowa? (Middle 50%: 1140–1313)

First-year students at Iowa who sent an SAT scored 1140–1313, with a median of 1230 (Common Data Set 2024–25). Iowa admits 84% of applicants.

University of Iowa · Iowa City, IA

Where your score lands at Iowa

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1140–1313, median 1230

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier Iowa is for you and whether to send your score.

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Iowa by the numbers

Admit rate: 84%
Middle 50% SAT: 1140–1313
Median SAT: 1230
About on the ACT: 23–28
Sent an SAT: 19%

Test policy not confirmed for 2026–27 · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2024–25; admit rate from it or IPEDS

Iowa admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 6%, from 26,222 in 2015 to 27,770 in 2024, and Iowa's admit rate went from 81% to 84%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	27,770	23,222	84%
2023	25,682	21,746	85%
2022	25,729	22,128	86%
2021	22,434	19,340	86%
2020	24,132	20,338	84%
2019	25,928	21,404	83%
2018	26,706	22,077	83%
2017	27,734	23,862	86%
2016	28,494	23,967	84%
2015	26,222	21,171	81%

In fall 2024, 5,208 of the 23,222 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at Iowa

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?*

Under 1090Far reachHold
1090–1130ReachHold
1140–1220TargetHold
1230–1310TargetSend
1320 and upLikelySend

900100011001200130014001500

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges. *Send it? assumes they're test optional; we haven't confirmed their policy.

Iowa SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	560	610	660
SAT Reading and Writing	570	620	670
SAT total	1140	1230	1313
ACT composite	21	24	28

Of enrolled first-year students, 19% sent an SAT and 57% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2024–25.

Average high school GPA: 3.83
Top 10% of their class: 38%; of new students who reported a rank

Iowa waitlist

Waitlist

13,969 applicants were offered a spot, 13,969 took it, and 13 were admitted from it.

0.1%of students who stayed on the waitlist got in

Common Data Set 2024–25.

Iowa cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $22,531; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 75%
Median earnings: $64,762; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 24,384

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like Iowa

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

More colleges in Iowa

Every college for an SAT of1140 1230 1310

Sources

Iowa Common Data Set 2024–25
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
Iowa website
University of Iowa

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1140–1313, and the median was 1230. At 1230 or higher you're above half of them. Iowa admits 84% of applicants.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

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A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$