At Iowa State University, tuition and mandatory fees are determined by several key factors. Knowing how these charges are calculated can help you estimate your total costs and avoid surprises on your university bill.

Your tuition is based on the following:

*Does not apply to graduate students.

Undergraduate Standard Tuition

Most undergraduate students who enroll directly from high school are assessed the standard rate of tuition⁠ during their first academic year.

Cost of Instruction

Certain undergraduate programs have a higher Cost of Instruction⁠ due to factors such as smaller class sizes, specialized coursework, advanced laboratory or experiential learning needs, and increased interaction with faculty. Students enrolled in these these programs are assessed an adjusted tuition rate once they reach the classifications listed below. 

Students enrolled in more than one program are assessed the highest tuition rate among their programs, regardless of which program is designated as primary.

Programs of Study with Tuition Rates Adjusted for Cost of Instruction
  • College of Design (all majors): First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Ivy College of Business (all majors): Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • College of Engineering (all majors): Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Agricultural Systems Technology: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Industrial Technology: Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Animal Enterprise and Innovation: First-Year, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Specific Programs Majors⁠⁠: Junior, Senior
  • Experiential Learning-Based Majors⁠: Junior, Senior
Note:

Students entering directly from high school and earned college credit while in high school are not assessed the higher tuition rate associated with their classification until they have completed the minimum semester requirement for their program of study.

Transfer students do not have a minimum semester threshold and are assessed the tuition rate associated with their classification beginning with their first term at Iowa State.

Graduate Standard Tuition

Some graduate programs of study are assessed the standard rate of tuition⁠, while others have a higher Cost of Instruction

Cost of Instruction

Programs with a higher Cost of Instruction reflect factors such as specialized coursework, advanced laboratory or experiential learning requirements, smaller class sizes, and increased faculty interaction.  

Students enrolled in the programs listed below are assessed the applicable adjusted tuition rate upon entry into the program. Students enrolled in more than one program are assessed the highest tuition rate among their programs, regardless of which program is designated as primary.

Programs of Study with Tuition Rates Adjusted for Cost of Instruction

Graduate Assistantships:

  • Graduate assistants with an appointment of ¼-time or more for at least 3 consecutive months of the fall or spring terms are assessed full-time, resident tuition, regardless of the number of registered credits. 
  • Graduate assistants with an appointment of ¼-time or more for at least 4 consecutive weeks of the summer term are assessed resident tuition at the per credit rate with a maximum assessment of 5 credits.

 

Students in the Veterinary Medicine Professional Program are assessed tuition⁠ and mandatory fees based on their residency classification and their class standing (first-year, second-year, third-year, fourth-year). 

Tuition Rates Based on Classification

  • First-year, second-year, third-year students are assessed tuition and mandatory fees based on the number of credits in which they are enrolled, up to a full-time maximum of 12 or more credits.
  • Fourth-year students are assessed a flat rate of tuition and mandatory fees regardless of the number of credits the student is enrolled.

Mandatory fees⁠ support campuswide services and resources available to enrolled students. These fees are assessed every academic term in which you are registered for courses.

Mandatory fees include:

  • Activity & service fee
  • Health fee
  • Health facility fee
  • Technology fee

These charges are based on the number of credits you take, not your actual usage of any individual service.

Some courses charge course fees when specialized materials, equipment, technology, or enhanced learning experiences are required.

To check whether a course includes a fee:

  • Go to “Find or Register for ISU Course Sections” in Workday
  • Course fees are listed directly in the course details

Throughout your academic journey, you may encounter common, program-specific, and university-wide fees⁠⁠⁠, such as:

  • Study abroad fees
  • Honors fee
  • Records fee

Tuition and mandatory fees do not cover all the expenses associated with attending Iowa State. Other educational costs may include:

  • Housing and meals
  • Books and supplies
  • Transportation
  • Personal expenses

The Office of Student Financial Aid provides a Cost of Attendance, which is an estimate of the costs of being enrolled for one year at Iowa State University.⁠

Tuition and fees are subject to change and are reviewed annually by the Iowa Board of Regents. New rates for the upcoming academic year are typically published at the end of April.

Questions about Tuition and Fees?

We're here to help! Please call the Tuition and Fees team at 515‑294‑1840 and select option 4.