CollegeCalcAI
AccessibleUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

University of Iowa acceptance rate and admissions profile

University of Iowa is a public university in Iowa with a 86% acceptance rate, which makes it accessible. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among Iowa schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
86%
Accessible
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1330
of admitted students
Type
Public
Iowa
Selectivity in state
#18
of 21 in IA
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What University of Iowa looks for

What University of Iowa weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Considered
Academic GPA
Important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
First-generation status
Considered
State residency
Important
Work experience
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of Iowa

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of Iowa
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300In the competitive admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How University of Iowa compares in Iowa

University of Iowa ranks #18 most selective of 21 schools in Iowa in our database.

Grinnell College
12%acceptance · IA
Morningside University
64%acceptance · IA
Coe College
65%acceptance · IA
Cornell College
65%acceptance · IA
Loras College
65%acceptance · IA
Luther College
65%acceptance · IA
Briar Cliff University
65%acceptance · IA
Clarke University
65%acceptance · IA
See all Iowa schools →

Similar to University of Iowa

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Alcorn State University
86%acceptance · MS
Ohio University
86%acceptance · OH
UT Martin
86%acceptance · TN
University of Nevada, Reno
86%acceptance · NV
Shippensburg University
86%acceptance · PA
East Tennessee State University
87%acceptance · TN

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into University of Iowa?

University of Iowa has a 86% acceptance rate, which makes it accessible — it admits most qualified applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for University of Iowa?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1330. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does University of Iowa value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of Iowa weighs academic gpa, state residency most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into University of Iowa?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for University of Iowa in a few minutes, no account required.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.