Admissions data checked October 9, 2026 by Florida Test Prep.
Iowa State University reports a middle 50% SAT of 1153 to 1360 (enrolled, fall 2025 CDS 2025-26). We use 1260 as a first planning target, then adjust it to the student's diagnostic and timeline. It is not an admission requirement or a guarantee.
| Middle 50% SAT | 1153 to 1360 (enrolled, fall 2025 CDS 2025-26) |
| Middle 50% ACT | 21 to 28 |
| Acceptance rate | 87.9% (fall 2025 CDS 2025-26: 21,652 admitted of 24,625 applicants) |
| Testing for 2026-27 | Test-optional |
| Type | Public university |
Source: Iowa State official admissions data. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not a cutoff.
Only 12% of Iowa State's enrolled Fall 2025 first-years submitted an SAT score; 45% submitted ACT.
| School | Middle 50% SAT | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|
| Grinnell College | 1430 to 1520 | Not reported |
| Iowa State University | 1153 to 1360 | 87.9% |
| University of Iowa | 1130 to 1320 | 79.9% |
Cohorts differ by school (admitted vs enrolled, and year). See every school with its cohort and source on SAT Scores for Iowa Colleges.
| College | State | Middle 50% SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Beloit College | Wisconsin | 1110 to 1400 |
| James Madison University | Virginia | 1180 to 1330 |
| University of Cincinnati | Ohio | 1160 to 1350 |
| Belmont University | Tennessee | 1160 to 1360 |
A score that is competitive at Iowa State lands in the same part of the range at these schools. Cohorts differ by school, so read each page's notes before comparing.
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Which of these numbers is your teen's target? Pick the Iowa colleges on their list and get a target score and the gap from today's score in under a minute.
Find my teen's target scoreThere is no published minimum; the middle half of the reported group scored 1153 to 1360. A score at or above 1360 puts a student in the top quarter of that group. A score near 1153 is within the range, and grades, coursework and the rest of the application still decide the outcome.
Yes. Iowa State lists its policy as: Test-optional. A score inside or above the range can still strengthen an application, and some scholarships and programs use scores separately.
87.9% (fall 2025 CDS 2025-26: 21,652 admitted of 24,625 applicants). Rates vary by program and residency, so read the overall figure as context, not a personal prediction.
No. A middle 50% is a description of last year's group, not a cutoff in either direction. It tells you where a score is competitive, which is the useful part for planning test dates.
Want to know what your teen needs for Iowa State? Their target, their gap and the weeks to close it are what we map in the free Strategy Session.
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