There are endless paths to Iowa State

From the moment you step on campus, you’ll be surrounded by world-class faculty, countless resume-building opportunities, and state-of-the-art facilities—all here to support your success. With 800 student organizations, over 100 majors, and an experience you’ll never forget, your future is in the making!

Academic requirements

Regent Admission Index

Admission decisions will be based on your Regent Admission Index (RAI) score, which is calculated using the following formula:

RAI Formula

 ACT composite (or converted SAT) score x 3
+Cumulative GPA x 30
+Number of years of high school core courses x 5
 RAI (Regent Admission Index)

Important notes:

  • SAT scores will be converted to their ACT composite equivalents for this calculation.
  • High school GPA is expressed on a 4-point scale (you can use our GPA calculator to convert your GPA if it's not on a 4.0 scale).
  • The number of core high school courses is measured in years or fractions of years.

Applicants with an RAI score of at least 245 and who meet the minimum high school course requirements will be automatically offered admission.

Applicants who achieve an RAI score below 245 but still meet the minimum high school course requirements may also be considered for admission through an individual academic review of their application materials.

Iowa State is test-optional for first-year applicants. Students may choose whether they wish to self-report their ACT/SAT scores when they apply for admission. For those who choose not to submit an ACT or SAT score, admission will be based on high school GPA and completion of core course requirements. CLT scores can also be submitted for consideration.

Minimum high school course requirements

High school students seeking direct admission to Iowa State University must fulfill the minimum high school course requirements outlined below:

SubjectRequirementDescription
English/Language Arts4 yearsEmphasizing writing, speaking, and reading, as well as an understanding and appreciation of literature
Mathematics3 yearsIncluding one year each of algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra
Science3 yearsIncluding at least two years of courses which emphasize elements of biology, chemistry, or physics
Social Studies2 years 

Additional entrance requirements for the Colleges of Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences

In addition to the high school course requirements listed above, students applying to the College of Engineering must complete two years of a single foreign language. For those applying to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a third year of social studies and two years of a single foreign language are required.

English proficiency requirement for students from Puerto Rico

Students graduating from high school in Puerto Rico are automatically deemed to have met Iowa State's English proficiency requirement, regardless of whether they indicate that English is their primary language.

Nontraditional students are subject to the same high school course requirements as all incoming first-year students. However, since research indicates that standard indicators of high school performance (such as GPA and class rank) may not always accurately predict academic success for nontraditional students, those with an RAI score below 245 are still encouraged to apply for admission.

Nontraditional admissions

General Equivalency Diploma (GED) applicants are welcome to enroll at Iowa State University. The specific GED score requirements for admission depend upon when the GED test was taken.

GED taken prior to 2014

Applicants who have achieved an overall average score at the 50th percentile or higher with no score lower than the 45th percentile will be offered admission. Applicants are also required to achieve GED sub-test scores at the 75th percentile for subject areas in which they did not satisfy the Minimum High School Course Requirements for Admission.

GED taken in 2014 or later

Applicants who have achieved a score of 170 or higher on each of the four content areas (Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies) will be offered admission.

Iowa uses the HiSET exam as the official assessment for individuals seeking a high school equivalency diploma. The HiSET consists of five sub-tests: Language Arts (Reading), Language Arts (Writing), Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science. Each sub-test is scored on a scale from 1-20, with a score of 8 considered "passing" and 15 deemed "college ready." The total HiSET score ranges from 1-100.

First-year applicants with a minimum total score of 75 and at least 15 on each sub-test will be automatically offered admission. Those not meeting these criteria will be evaluated individually.

Iowa State welcomes home-schooled students each year as first-year applicants.

In addition to the first-year application, home-schooled students are required to submit:

  • A home school transcript
  • A high school transcript if any courses were taken at a local high school
  • College transcript(s) if college courses were attempted

Applicants may choose to submit ACT or SAT scores, which must be sent directly from the testing agency.

GPA policy for home-schooled students
When calculating GPA, only grades assigned by an independent entity (such as a high school, college, or accredited online program) are included. Home-schooled students must have completed at least 12 semester credits of college-level coursework or 5 Carnegie units of high school-level coursework (or a combination) to establish a GPA.

Applicants without enough independently assigned grades will undergo individual review, which includes a holistic evaluation of their academic record, ACT/SAT scores, high school core classes, and additional coursework.