A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 in all transferable courses is required. If you have fewer than 24 transferable credits, high school transcripts will also be necessary.
Students holding an associate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. two-year or four-year institution may qualify for admission with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
International students can meet Iowa State's English proficiency requirement by achieving a satisfactory score on one of the following exams or by qualifying under one of the categories outlined below:
| Option | Minimum score or grade required | Iowa State code |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL | 71 IBT with a 17 or above on the Speaking and Writing sections 17 on all sections on the Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) | 6306 |
| IELTS | 6.0 overall score with all subscores 5.5 or above | IELTS doesn't use codes |
| Duolingo English Test (DET) | The minimum Duolingo English proficiency score for applicants is 100 for those entering through Spring 2025. Beginning in Summer 2025, the required score will rise to 105. | DET doesn't use codes |
| PTE | 48 overall score | PTE doesn't use codes |
| SAT | 460 Evidence-Based Writing and Reading subscore (EWR) | 6306 |
| ACT | 19 English subscore | 1320 |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) | 5 on any of the four IB English courses (SL or HL) | |
| Advanced Placement (AP) | 3 on English Language and Composition or 4 on English Literature and Composition | |
| IGCSE (O Levels/AS & A Levels) | D in first language English or C in English as a second language |
International students meeting any of the following criteria will be considered to have fulfilled the requirement:
Scanned documents are acceptable for admission review. However, if admitted, official final documents will be required.
If you're transferring to Iowa State from an international institution, you may wonder how your credits will be evaluated. Here’s an overview of the process to help you prepare and make the transfer as seamless as possible.
The evaluation of transfer credit happens in two stages. First, the Office of Admissions reviews your courses to determine the transferable credits. Once complete, you can view your Transfer Credit Evaluation (TCE) in your Admissions MyAccount.
The second stage is completed by the college of your major, typically after your arrival. At this point, your college determines which credits fulfill the requirements for your specific program. To ensure a smooth review process:
Evaluating courses individually may take two to three weeks. You might also need to meet with faculty to discuss your prior coursework and share additional materials, such as reading lists, textbooks, reports, or exam results.
To graduate from Iowa State, students need 120 credits. This requirement guides our calculation for transfer credits:
Courses are credited at the academic level they were taught:
Departments are assigned based on course details such as name, description, syllabus, and comparison with the Iowa State course catalog.
We determine the grading scale for each university using resources like AACRO Edge, transcript details, and university websites.
We award credit only from institutions accredited by the educational authorities in their country and do not accept credits from:
Explore the ADTP at INTI University College, Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, Sunway University, and Taylor's University College.
Applying for a visa takes time and careful preparation, so be sure to start early and check the U.S. embassy website in your country for guidance.
A Form I-20, issued by U.S. schools to international students, indicates you’ve met all admission requirements to attend. If you’re outside the U.S., bring your Form I-20 to your nearest U.S. Consulate, along with your passport, TOEFL score, financial documents, and transcripts, to apply for an F-1 student visa. Be sure to sign your I-20 before entering the U.S.
If you’re already in the U.S., your I-20 can only be issued after the release date from your previous school, typically your last date of attendance.
To avoid delays, apply for your visa well in advance, as visas cannot be issued more than 120 days before the registration date on your I-20.
To apply for a student visa, please provide the following:
Additionally, have these documents on hand:
For further guidance, consult the U.S. Department of State website.
After receiving your visa, you can begin making travel arrangements. Be sure to book early, as flights tend to fill up quickly during peak student travel periods. Keep in mind that visa regulations prevent students from arriving more than 30 days before the date listed on their Form I-20.
If you are currently in the U.S., you will need to have your visa status verified by your current school. To do this, request that they complete the Transfer I-20 Request Form. Please note that this form should only be submitted after you have accepted your offer of admission to Iowa State University.
