Iowa State University
Ames, IA1750 Beardshear Hall, Ames, IA 50011-2103
515-294-4111
Iowa State University is a public land-grant and space-grant research university in Ames, Iowa. It is the largest university in the state of Iowa and the third largest university in the Big 12 Conference. Iowa State is classified as a Doctoral University with the highest research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Iowa State is also a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), which consists of 62 leading research universities in the United States and Canada.
Founded in 1858 as the state's first land-grant university, Iowa State became the nation's first designated land-grant institution when the Morrill Act was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The university was founded as Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm in 1858 on the site of the future town of Ames. John C. Knapp became the first president of Iowa Agricultural College in 1858, and the first classes were held in 1869.
Iowa Agricultural College's first farm was started in 1866, and the first class of six men graduated in 1868. The first woman, Elizabeth Beardsley, graduated in 1869. By 1872, Iowa Agricultural College had six buildings and a student body of031.
In 1872, the name of the school was changed to Iowa State University of Science and Technology to reflect its increasing focus on scientific research. The first class of women admitted to Iowa State University was in 1873.
In 1879, the first veterinary college in the United States was established at Iowa State University.
In 1887, Iowa State became the first university in the United States to be designated a land-grant university.
In 1894, Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts was renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology.
In 1898, the first course in engineering was offered at Iowa State University.
In 1899, the first student government was organized at Iowa State University.
In 1900, the first graduate school was established at Iowa State University.
In 1901, the first dormitory for women was built at Iowa State University.
In 1903, the first fraternity was established at Iowa State University.
In 1907, the first homecoming was held at Iowa State University.
In 1908, the first intercollegiate athletics event was held at Iowa State University.
In 1909, the first student newspaper was published at Iowa State University.
In 1910, the first student yearbook was published at Iowa State University.
In 1911, the first honor society was established at Iowa State University.
In 1912, the first student council was organized at Iowa State University.
In 1913, the first commencement was held at Iowa State University.
In 1914, the first library was built at Iowa State University.
In 1915, the first student union was built at Iowa State University.
In 1916, the first Extension Service was established at Iowa State University.
In 1917, the first 4-H club was organized at Iowa State University.
In 1918, the first foreign student was enrolled at Iowa State University.
In 1919, the first Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) unit was established at Iowa State University.
In 1920, the first Air Force ROTC unit was established at Iowa State University.
In 1921, the first Navy ROTC unit was established at Iowa State University.
In 1922, the first home economics department was established at Iowa State University.
In 1923, the first school of veterinary medicine was established at Iowa State University.
In 1924, the first school of engineering was established at Iowa State University.
In 1925, the first school of business was established at Iowa State University.
In 1926, the first school of home economics was established at Iowa State University.
In 1927, the first school of agriculture was established at Iowa State University.
In 1928, the first school of science was established at Iowa State University.
In 1929, the first school of art was established at Iowa State University.
In 1930, the first school of education was established at Iowa State University.
In 1931, the first school of music was established at Iowa State University.
In 1932, the first school of journalism was established at Iowa State University.
In 1933, the first school of forestry was established at Iowa State University.
In 1934, the first school of industrial design was established at Iowa State University.
In 1935, the first school of veterinary medicine was established at Iowa State University.
In 1936, the first school of dentistry was established at Iowa State University.
In 1937, the first school of pharmacy was established at Iowa State University.
In 1938, the first school of nursing was established at Iowa State University.
In 1939, the first school of public health was established at
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 31822
Acceptance Rate: 88.42%
Type: Public, 4-year or above
Main Website: https://www.iastate.edu/
Financial Aid: https://www.financialaid.iastate.edu/
Annual Costs
Total Cost In-State On-Campus: $21940
Total Cost Out-State On-Campus: $37128
Return on Investment Rating
The estimated cost for four years as an undergraduate at Iowa State University is $86003.62. This includes the average cost of attendance for four years plus the interest on the average loan over a ten year repayment minus the average of grants and scholarships per student.
We then contrast this figure with average early-career and mid-career average incomes of graduates of four year programs at Iowa State University. For graduates of Iowa State University, we saw an average early-career income of $61000.00 and mid-career income of $106400.00. We then ranked the school's value based on how many years of mid-career income it takes to repay the educational costs.