by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a Iowa State degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how Iowa State measures up.
Iowa State is ranked #1,461 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of C-. Within Iowa, it ranks #21 of 48 for value.
These Iowa State majors earned the highest value rankings from College Factual.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| International Agriculture | #2 of 3 |
| Agriculture | #2 of 3 |
| Farm/Farm & Ranch Management | #3 of 6 |
| Dairy Science | #5 of 10 |
| General Family Resource Management Studies | #6 of 10 |
| Computational Science | #6 of 11 |
| Computer Science / Programming | #6 of 11 |
| Meteorology | #6 of 7 |
| Agricultural Mechanization | #7 of 8 |
| General Genetics | #9 of 13 |
Below is the detailed Iowa State value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
Iowa State University is ranked #3 out of #51 in Iowa for quality and #21 out of #48 for Iowa value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the Iowa State financial aid page to be sure.
Iowa State University is ranked #1,461 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Iowa State University is priced appropriately for the quality of education it provides, making it a fair value according to College Factual.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at Iowa State costs about $20,007. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $80,029 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $24,044 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $18,589 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $20,007 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $80,029 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the Iowa State net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
What Iowa State costs you depends on how much aid you receive, so few students fit perfectly into averages.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a Iowa State degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $96,176 | — | — |
| All Students | $80,029 | #1,461 | C- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $74,356 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $96,176 | — | — |
| All Students | $80,029 | #21 | C |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $74,356 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at Iowa State shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $11,734 |
| $30K–$48K | $12,465 |
| $48K–$75K | $15,430 |
| $75K–$110K | $19,807 |
| Over $110K | $21,827 |
About 74% of Iowa State undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $10,270 per year. Get more details on the Iowa State financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the Iowa State net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.