Accelerate your career goals

Pursuing higher education as a student over 25 may feel like an unconventional path, but you're in good company—47% of Cyclone undergraduates are seizing the same opportunities. Whether you're:

  • Starting a bachelor's degree for the first time
  • Transferring to Iowa State University
  • Completing a degree you began years ago
  • Enrolling in a few courses for personal enrichment

We've got pathways designed for you.

If you’re new to college, you’ll need to meet our standard first-year requirements. If you fall short of these, we’ll review your application individually. If you’ve completed college coursework in the past, our transfer requirements will apply.

Frequently asked questions

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) is a degree program tailored for working adults, offering flexible options to earn credit through various pathways.

There are no residence requirements for the B.L.S. program. Students can complete their degree by taking courses online or on campus, and may also earn credits through proficiency or test-out exams.

Many classes are held on the Iowa State campus, with several upper-level courses also available at the Des Moines Area Community College campus in Ankeny.

Additionally, some Iowa State courses are offered via the Iowa Communications Network, online, or on videotape, allowing you to access the university’s high-quality educational programs from anywhere.

Each year, 75 adult students returning to or enrolling in college for the first time receive a $2,000 Adult Student Scholarship, and you could be one of them.

For more details on this scholarship and others, such as the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, Roy J. Carver Scholarship, Iowa State University Community College Scholarship, and Engineering Transfer Scholarship, visit the Office of Financial Aid website.

To apply for loans, grants, scholarships, and government-supported part-time jobs, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For additional information, see the tuition and fees page.

Adult students at Iowa State are often highly successful due to their motivation and maturity, and these qualities are considered during the application review process. We encourage you to apply for admission even if you do not meet the following general guidelines:

  • Graduate in the upper half of your high school class, or achieve a satisfactory ACT composite score or SAT combined score.
  • Complete at least 24 semester credits of graded, transferable coursework from a regionally accredited college or university with a minimum GPA of 2.25.
  • Earn a GED certificate with scores at the 50th percentile or higher.

Iowa State does not automatically grant credit for work experience or general knowledge. However, you may be eligible to earn credit through examinations in areas where you have sufficient preparation.

For more details, visit the credit by examination page.

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) is a flexible degree in the liberal arts that does not have a traditional major. Instead, students complete coursework across three distribution areas, which can be concentrated in one discipline or spread across multiple fields. With guidance from a B.L.S. advisor, students can design a program tailored to their personal, academic, and career aspirations.

For more details on how to apply for admission, please visit the application page.

Questions?

The Office of Admissions is here to help.