Iowa State University Review

Iowa State University is a public liberal arts and research institution located in Ames. The university offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degree programs in diverse areas, including inorganic chemistry, higher education administration, materials science and statistics.

Iowa State University Overview

Established in 1858, Iowa State University (ISU) became one of the original land-grant universities in the nation. The university graduated its first class of 26 in 1872 and now enrolls over 26,000 students. U.S. News and World Report ranked ISU among the top 100 national universities in its 2010 'Best Colleges' review.

The university is home to Friley Hall, one of the largest residence halls in the nation, as well as 18 additional residence halls, 165 campus apartment buildings, two residential commons and dining locations across the campus. ISU offers more than 100 major programs and has over 500 student organizations.

Admissions and Enrollment Overview

The ISU website details the admissions requirements for U.S. and international freshmen, transfer, graduate and non-degree applicants. The university has a Regent Admission Index (RAI) used for scoring and admissions decisions. Prospective students who are offered admission can accept on ISU's website or by mail; housing information and an orientation packet are typically mailed out after students submit their formal acceptance.

Campus Facilities and Learning Environment

The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1, and the university has been recognized in the book Involving Colleges for providing one of the nation's best leadership and out-of-classroom learning experiences. U.S. News and World Report ranked the university's learning communities program among the top 26 in the country in 2010. The university operates departmental, public and university computer labs, and features wireless network access in over 90 buildings across campus.

The ISU library is accessible both on-campus and online, with a collection of over 2.5 million volumes, more than 30,000 films and videos and additional audio materials and photographs. Library facilities include mathematics, physical sciences and design reading rooms, as well as a veterinary medical library.

Colleges at Iowa State University

  • College of Veterinary Medicine
  • College of Engineering
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • College of Business
  • College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • College of Design
  • College of Human Sciences

Contact Information

  • Address: Ames, Iowa 50011
  • Phone Number: (515) 294-4111