SAT University Admissions Guide

Iowa State University

Also known as: Iowa State, ISU

Public school in Ames, Iowa, United States of America

Established on March 22, 1858, as the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm, Iowa State was designated the state’s land‑grant institution in 1864 and renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology in 1959. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and enrolls over 30,000 students (30,432 in Fall 2024) across its main campus in Ames and regional centers. The university offers more than 100 bachelor’s, 120 master’s, and 80 doctoral programs through eight colleges, including Agriculture and Life Sciences, Engineering, and the Ivy College of Business. Iowa State is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and fields NCAA Division I Cyclones athletics in the Big 12 Conference.

public research university

land-grant

R1 research

test-optional

SAT Scores are optional

This university has a test-optional policy.

First‑year applicants may choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores; submitted scores are considered holistically for admission, course placement, and scholarships but are not required.

Note: Some programs or scholarships may still recommend or require SAT scores. Always verify the latest admission criteria on the official university website.

More SAT Admissions Info for Universities in Iowa

AIB College of Business

Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America

AIB College of Business was a private nonprofit baccalaureate college of business in Des Moines, Iowa, that closed in 2016.

Central College

Pella, Iowa, United States of America

Central College is a private liberal arts college in Pella, Iowa, with a test‑optional admissions policy.

Coe College

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States of America

Coe College is a private liberal arts college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with a test‑optional admissions policy.

Cornell College

Mount Vernon, Iowa, United States of America

Cornell College is a private liberal arts college in Mount Vernon, Iowa, offering a unique one‑course‑at‑a‑time block schedule and a test‑optional admissions policy.

Des Moines Area Community College

Ankeny, Iowa, United States of America

Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) is a public community college in central Iowa offering open‑enrollment associate and certificate programs.

Dordt University

Sioux Center, Iowa, United States of America

Dordt University is a private evangelical Christian university in Sioux Center, Iowa, offering over 90 programs in arts, sciences, and professional fields.

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