University of Iowa Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 04/2023)

Total Cost of Attendance

The University of Iowa is a public research university with widely recognized programs in the arts and sciences, and hundreds of different areas of study.

The University of Iowa tuition for state residents was $10,353 in 2022-23. This is on par with the national average of $10,940 for in-state tuition at public universities. For residents of other states, tuition was $32,316, which is slightly higher than the national average of $28,240 for out-of-state tuition.

Costs for 2022-2023

Financial Aid

To help with the University of Iowa cost, 87% of students use one or more forms of financial aid, such as scholarships, grants, loans, or a combination of them.

Explore financial aid options: Iowa Student Loan & Scholarships.

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students that qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state and federal and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

•  Scholarship Search Tool

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

Of the students who use student loans to help with University of Iowa tuition, 44% have federal loans and 10% have private loans. The average amount they have in private student loans is $16,747.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school throughout the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

The University of Iowa cost for four years, including tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses, would be $107,532 for in-state students and $195,384 for out-of-state students.

Comparatively, the national average for four years of in-state tuition and fees at public universities would be $106,760, and $175,960 for out-of-state students.

Here’s some Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

The combined cost of University of Iowa tuition and fees plus room and board in 2022-23 was $21,829 for Iowa residents and $43,792 for other students.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

Costs for 2022-23

Tuition and fees for grad school at the University of Iowa was $12,564 for in-state students and $31,511 for out-of-state students in 2022-23. The average cost for grad school is $29,150.

There are many options for graduate loans that can help with these costs.

Cost per Credit Hour

The cost per credit hour for part-time University of Iowa students is $363.

Campus Housing Expenses

Costs for 2022-23

*Based on one-bedroom pricing. Average rate based on available apartments on the University of Iowa’s off-campus housing website in 2023.

Freshmen are currently not required to live on campus, though 94% choose to do so. With 11 residence halls and 10 Living Learning Communities for students majoring in engineering, public health, and sport and recreation management, or those interested in writing or the arts, on-campus living is community-centric. Learn more here .

University of Iowa Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021

The University of Iowa has a high acceptance rate of 86%.

Admission Requirements

Here’s what you’re required to submit, and what’s recommended, with your application to the University of Iowa.

Required:

•  High school transcript

Recommended:

•  SAT or ACT scores

SAT and ACT Scores

The University of Iowa is test-optional. Here are the standardized test scores at the 25th and 75th percentile at UI.

Popular Majors at the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa offers more than 200 areas of study for undergraduates. Here are the most popular majors.

1. Exercise Science

After taking courses on the body’s response to the various effects of exercise, students are prepared for careers in personal training, group fitness, strength and conditioning, and sport coaching. Many choose to further their studies in physical therapy, occupational therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation, or chiropractic, or by going to medical school.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 361

2. Finance

Finance majors take Financial Accounting and Reporting, Financial Information Technology, Investment Management, and Corporate Finance. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Hawkinson Institute, a program that provides a two-course seminar, investment management speakers, and individualized professional development to sharpen their analytical abilities, market knowledge, technical tools, and skills in investment banking.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 346

3. Nursing

Nursing students study Principles of Human Anatomy, Fundamentals of Human Physiology, Nutrition and Health, and Healthcare Finance. They also complete around 700 hours of clinical experience.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 240

4. Enterprise Leadership

In this program, you’ll learn problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and innovation while taking courses like Quantitative Reasoning for Business, Probability and Statistics for the Engineering and Physical Sciences, Biostatistics, Foundations in Entrepreneurship, Leadership Theory to Practice, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 234

5. Marketing

Marketing majors can go beyond their coursework to deepen their knowledge through The Marketing Institute, a program that provides a two-course seminar with executives from top corporations, case competitions, and professional development in teamwork, writing, interviewing, and oral communications. Additionally, students can join UI’s chapter of the American Marketing Association.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 205

6. Liberal Studies

This online degree program gives students the chance to choose a track in one of the following: Expression in Writing and Arts; Family, Community, and Social Support; Global Studies; Health and Human Studies; Justice and Ethics; or Organizational Studies.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 178

7. Communication Studies

Majors in this program learn how to improve their written and spoken communication, as well as how to analyze written, oral, visual, and electronic messages from historical, critical, and social science perspectives.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 175

8. Sport and Recreation Management

Students get a solid business background for the sport and recreation industry. They learn how to apply and analyze financial, human resource, and facility management principles, as well as sharpen their marketing, communications, and sales skills.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 57

9. Management

Those pursuing a management degree can choose from the following specialty tracks: Human Resource, Leadership and Management, or Entrepreneurial Management. Coursework includes Individuals, Teams, and Organizations; Strategic Human Resource Management; and Dynamics of Negotiations.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 116

10. Elementary Education

This rigorous program gives future elementary educators the skills they need. Students can choose a specialty like Art K-8, English as a Second Language K-12, Middle School 5-8, Reading K-8, Talented and Gifted PK-12, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2020-21: 113

Graduation Rate

These are the graduation rates at the University of Iowa:

•  4 years: 56%

•  6 years: 74%

•  8 years: 73%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

After earning their degree, University of Iowa undergrads make, on average, $58,274 per year. That’s a step up from the annual average of $47,922 for undergraduates nationally.