- Acceptance rate: 84% for fall 2024
- Average high school GPA: 3.83, as reported by the college for 2024–25
- SAT, middle 50%: 570–670 reading and writing, 560–660 math
- ACT, middle 50%: 21–28 composite
- Average net price: $20,121 a year (2022–23)
University of Iowa GPA calculator
On this page · 7 sections
How does your GPA compare?
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Where you standEnter your GPA
Type your GPA to compare it with what University of Iowa reported: an average GPA of 3.83 (2024–25), an acceptance rate of 84% for fall 2024 and an ACT middle 50% of 21–28.
Weighted GPAs above 4.0 can't be compared directly. Many colleges recalculate on their own scale, so use your unweighted GPA here.
A guide based on reported data, not a prediction. University of Iowa reviews each application.
University of Iowa average GPA
University of Iowa reported an average high school GPA of 3.83 for its first-year students who submitted one (99% did), in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether it's weighted or unweighted.
An average, not a cutoffColleges calculate GPA in different ways, so this figure can't be compared directly with your own GPA.
University of Iowa acceptance rate
University of Iowa admitted 23,222 of 27,770 first-year applicants for fall 2024, an acceptance rate of 84%, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
University of Iowa is a public 4-year university in Iowa City, Iowa, with 22,738 undergraduates.
SAT and ACT scores
Scores of the first-year students who entered University of Iowa in fall 2024 and submitted them. Half of them scored between the 25th and 75th percentiles:
| Test | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Reading and Writing | 570 | 620 | 670 |
| SAT Math | 560 | 610 | 660 |
| ACT Composite | 21 | 24 | 28 |
| ACT English | 20 | 23 | 28 |
| ACT Math | 19 | 24 | 27 |
The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard estimates an average SAT score of 1200 for admitted students.
Admission requirements
What University of Iowa looks at when it decides on first-year applicants, as it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024:
| Admission factor | Status |
|---|---|
| High School GPAYour cumulative high school grade point average. | Required |
| High School RecordYour transcript: the courses you took and the grades you earned. | Required |
| College Preparatory ProgramCompletion of a college preparatory curriculum in high school. | Required |
| High School Class RankYour ranking relative to other students in your graduating class. | Considered if submitted |
| RecommendationsLetters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other mentors. | Considered if submitted |
| Essay or Personal StatementA personal statement or essay written for your application. | Considered if submitted |
| Test ScoresSAT or ACT scores. | Considered if submitted |
| Demonstration of CompetenciesEvidence of specific skills through portfolios, auditions, or other demonstrations. | Considered if submitted |
| Other TestsOther admission tests, such as the Wonderlic or WISC-III. | Not considered |
| Work ExperiencePaid or volunteer work. | Not considered |
| Legacy StatusWhether a parent or other relative attended the college. | Not considered |
AP credit
University of Iowa awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
It doesn't award credit for life experience.
Average net price
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average net price of $20,121 a year at University of Iowa in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into the University of Iowa?
Not very selective: at least 3 in 4 applicants got in. University of Iowa admitted 84% of first-year applicants for fall 2024.
What SAT and ACT scores do the University of Iowa students have?
The middle 50% of University of Iowa's fall 2024 first-year students who sent scores had SAT 570–670 in reading and writing and 560–660 in math; ACT composite 21–28, according to what the college reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A quarter scored below that range.
What percent of applicants does the University of Iowa accept?
University of Iowa's acceptance rate was 84% for fall 2024: it admitted 23,222 of 27,770 first-year applicants, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education.
What GPA do you need to get into the University of Iowa?
University of Iowa doesn't set a minimum GPA we could verify. Its first-year students averaged 3.83, as reported by the college in its 2024–25 Common Data Set. The college doesn't say whether that average is weighted or unweighted.
Do you need SAT or ACT scores to apply to the University of Iowa?
Check University of Iowa's admissions website for the current rule: testing policies change from year to year. University of Iowa was test optional: it considered SAT or ACT scores if you sent them, according to its filing with the U.S. Department of Education (fall 2024). Of its fall 2024 first-year students, 19% sent SAT scores and 57% sent ACT scores.
How important is GPA for getting into the University of Iowa?
A lot: University of Iowa requires high school GPA, high school record and college preparatory program. It considers high school class rank, recommendations, essay or personal statement, test scores and demonstration of competencies if you send them. It doesn't consider other tests, work experience and legacy status. That's what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
Do I have a chance at the University of Iowa with a 3.5 GPA?
GPA alone can't tell you here. University of Iowa admitted 84% of first-year applicants for fall 2024. It requires a high school GPA but hasn't published an average we could verify, so there's no admitted-student GPA to compare a 3.5 against. Your transcript and test scores are the clearer guide.
Does the University of Iowa look at legacy status?
No. University of Iowa doesn't consider whether a parent or other relative attended, according to what it reported to the U.S. Department of Education for fall 2024.
What is the average net price at the University of Iowa?
First-time, full-time undergraduates paying in-state tuition who received grant or scholarship aid paid an average of $20,121 a year at University of Iowa in 2022–23, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships.
Does the University of Iowa accept AP credit?
Yes. University of Iowa awards college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, it said in its report to the U.S. Department of Education for 2024–25. The college decides which exams and scores earn credit.
Before you apply, check the University of Iowa's official admissions site: requirements can differ by program and change from year to year.
Sources
- College Navigator: University of IowaU.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS (2024–25 provisional data): admissions, test scores and admission factors for fall 2024, undergraduate enrollment for fall 2024, net price for 2022–23 and credit policies for 2024–25.
- University of Iowa Common Data Set 2024–25University of Iowa: average high school GPA of first-year students.
- College Scorecard dataAverage SAT: an estimate by the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 10, 2026 release).
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