Ames, IA · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026
| Tuition | Difference | |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa State University (in-state) | $10,787 | — |
| IA average | $23,680 | -54% |
| National average | $18,082 | -40% |
| Per year | Four years | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $10,787 | $43,148 |
| Out-of-state | $28,881 | $115,524 |
Tuition only. Housing, books and living costs are not included — most colleges publish a fuller cost-of-attendance figure.
Iowa State University ranks 18 by in-state tuition among the 49 IA colleges that report a rate — lower is cheaper. Out-of-state students pay 168% more than in-state students.
| Colleges with a similar price to Iowa State University | In-state tuition |
|---|---|
| University of Iowa | $11,283 |
| University of Northern Iowa | $9,936 |
| Southwestern Community College | $8,064 |
| Iowa Lakes Community College | $7,392 |
In-state tuition at Iowa State University is $10,787 per year; out-of-state students pay $28,881.
Iowa State University in-state tuition is 54% below the IA average of $23,680.
National average in-state tuition is $18,082; Iowa State University is 40% below that.
$10,787 is the official in-state tuition published by College Scorecard for the most recent cohort year.
Four years of tuition at Iowa State University comes to about $43,148 for an in-state student and $115,524 for an out-of-state student at current rates. That is tuition only — it excludes housing, books and living costs.
By in-state tuition, Iowa State University ranks 18 out of the 49 IA colleges that report a rate — lower numbers are cheaper. The five cheapest and five most expensive colleges in the state are listed above.