All three of Iowa's public regent universities (University of Iowa, Iowa State, University of Northern Iowa) and every private college checked, including Grinnell, Drake, Coe, and Luther, are test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants. No major Iowa college requires the SAT or ACT. Published score ranges describe a cohort; they are not admission cutoffs.
The table covers 7 colleges Iowa families apply to most, from the most selective to the large public universities. Read each cohort note before comparing numbers.
| School | SAT profile / cohort | ACT | Acceptance rate | Testing, fall 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grinnell College | 1430-1520 · enrolled, fall 2024 (CDS 2024-25) | 31-34 | Not reported | See school |
| University of Iowa | 1130-1320 · enrolled, fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26) | 21-28 | 79.9% · fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26: 25, 131 admitted of 31, 454 applicants) | Test-optional |
| Iowa State University | 1153-1360 · enrolled, fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26) | 21-28 | 87.9% · fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26: 21, 652 admitted of 24, 625 applicants) | Test-optional |
| University of Northern Iowa | Not published | Not published | Not reported | Test-optional |
| Drake University | Not published | Not published | Not reported | Test-optional |
| Luther College | Not published | Not published | 62.3% | Test-optional |
| Coe College | Not published | Not published | Not reported | Test-optional |
Cohort notes: Grinnell: Only 29% of Grinnell's enrolled Fall 2024 first-years submitted an SAT score and 21% submitted ACT; Grinnell is Iowa's most selective college by a wide margin. Iowa: Only 22% of the University of Iowa's enrolled Fall 2025 first-years submitted an SAT score (1,230 students); 60% submitted the ACT. Iowa State: Only 12% of Iowa State's enrolled Fall 2025 first-years submitted an SAT score; 45% submitted ACT. These are not interchangeable measures.
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Find my teen's target scoreGrinnell reports a 1430 to 1520 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2024 (CDS 2024-25)). The matching ACT range is 31-34. Only 29% of Grinnell's enrolled Fall 2024 first-years submitted an SAT score and 21% submitted ACT; Grinnell is Iowa's most selective college by a wide margin.
Iowa reports a 1130 to 1320 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26)). It admitted 79.9% of 31,454 applicants (fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26: 25, 131 admitted of 31, 454 applicants)). The matching ACT range is 21-28. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional. Only 22% of the University of Iowa's enrolled Fall 2025 first-years submitted an SAT score (1,230 students); 60% submitted the ACT.
Iowa State reports a 1153 to 1360 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26)). It admitted 87.9% of 24,625 applicants (fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26: 21, 652 admitted of 24, 625 applicants)). The matching ACT range is 21-28. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional. Only 12% of Iowa State's enrolled Fall 2025 first-years submitted an SAT score; 45% submitted ACT.
UNI does not publish a composite SAT range for its latest class. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional.
Drake does not publish a composite SAT range for its latest class. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional.
Luther does not publish a composite SAT range for its latest class. It admitted 62.3% (latest cycle). Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional.
Coe does not publish a composite SAT range for its latest class. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional.
Iowa, Iowa State, UNI and Drake are test optional for fall 2027, so many families assume the score is irrelevant. The ranges above come from the students who chose to send one, and they sit well above the overall class. A strong score is one more reason for a school to say yes, and a weak one can simply stay home.
No. The University of Iowa is test-optional, along with Iowa State and the University of Northern Iowa. A score can be submitted if a student believes it strengthens their application: the University of Iowa's enrolled Fall 2025 middle 50% SAT was 1130 to 1320, but only 22% of enrollees submitted one.
Only 29% of Grinnell's enrolled students submitted an SAT score at all.
Grinnell is a highly selective national liberal arts college that draws applicants from across the country, not primarily from Iowa, which is why its enrolled SAT range sits far above Iowa's public universities and other private colleges. It is still test-optional, so a strong application does not require submitting a score at all.
No. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not an admission cutoff. Some rows describe enrolled students or score submitters only, as labeled. A position within a range does not guarantee admission or merit aid.
University and state sources: Grinnell, Iowa, Iowa State, UNI, Drake, Luther, Coe. Reviewed October 9, 2026. Cohorts and entry terms differ; confirm current requirements with each admissions office.
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