Iowa State Housing Costs

$2,890 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

What Are the Living Expenses at Iowa State?

Understanding all of the expenses related to attending college can allow you to make the best decision at Iowa State University.

On this page you will find:

Outline of Housing Costs
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Living Expenses at Iowa State

This school offers students separate housing and dining options. The on-campus housing charge for an average student was $5,700 in 2026, and the cost of a typical dining plan was $5,108. All in all, the average on-campus student at Iowa State University budgeted around $16,798 in 2026 for room, board, books and other living costs combined.

The table below shows the expected costs of on-campus and off-campus housing and dining plans for Iowa State University.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$13,208	$12,476
— Housing	$5,700
— Meals	$5,108
Other Living Expenses	$2,890	$2,890
Books and Supplies	$700	$700
Total	$16,798	$16,066

Room & Board Over Four Years? Forecasted Cost is $73,973

Housing and dining costs rarely hold still from one year to the next. Looking at the trend gives you a realistic picture of what you will actually spend by graduation.

Over the course of obtaining your degree, expect on-campus living costs near $73,973 for living costs.

Here is how combined on-campus room and board has moved over the last few reported years, with a projection of where it is headed, at Iowa State University.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$11,518
Two Years Ago	$12,248
One Year Ago	$12,616
Most Recent Year (2026)	$13,208
One Year From Now *	$13,853
Two Years From Now *	$14,531
Three Years From Now *	$15,242
Four Years From Now *	$15,987

* estimated

Room and board changed an average of 4.9% annually. If that pace holds, room and board would land around $17,443 in their first year.

Continuing the same trend, the final-year cost would be roughly $19,577 for a bachelor’s program; a two-year student would see about $18,121 in their second and final year.

For a full bachelor’s degree, expect to spend a total of around $73,973 over four years — compared with roughly $35,564 for a two-year (associate) degree.