Studying at The University of Iowa
The University of Iowa appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Part-Time MBA Programs.
The University of Iowa is divided into 11 colleges that offer more than 200 programs, as well as seven professional degrees. Some of the most well-known programs at the university include those in law, fine arts, and health care. The overall student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, and the student satisfaction rate is a healthy 86 percent. Around half of the school’s undergraduate students graduate in four years.
The most popular majors for students at the University of Iowa include business, engineering, communication, and parks and recreation. Several of the majors offered at the University of Iowa are considered more selective in their admissions process because of added prerequisites and grading standards. Some of the majors that require extra application materials include dance, therapeutic recreation, nursing, engineering, and public health.
The University of Iowa has a healthy number of degrees and certificates that can be earned online through its distance learning program, as well as some programs that can be earned at the university’s satellite campuses in Sioux City, the Quad Cities, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids. There are 29 programs that students can enroll in online without having to visit a campus.
A sampling of undergraduate degrees available online includes the Bachelor of Applied Studies, the Bachelor of Arts in Enterprise Leadership, and the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Further degrees that are available include the Bachelor of Liberal Studies, the Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management, and the Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-BSN).
Students who aren’t interested in enrolling in a complete bachelor’s degree program can choose from one of the undergraduate certificates like the Certificate in Event Management, the Certificate in Museum Studies, or the Certificate in Leadership Studies. Graduate certificates are also available that include the Certificate in Health Systems/Administration, the Certificate in Public Health, and the Certificate in Online Teaching.
For applicants who want to earn their graduate degree online, degrees include a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, a Master of Arts in Educational Measurement, and a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication. Students can also pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice or gain licensure for teaching in Iowa within the Educational Leadership endorsement program.
About The University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is the flagship institution of the state’s university system and is located in Iowa City, Iowa. The large school has more nearly 33,000 students attending with around 8,900 of those students enrolled in postgraduate classes. There are more than 2,200 administrative staff members employed by the university, which was founded in 1847. Today, the campus covers 1,880 acres and sits along the Iowa River.
One of the interesting facts about the university is that it was the first institution of higher learning to introduce the Master of Fine Arts degree. The university is also a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and the Big Ten Academic Alliance. As an R1: Doctoral University with very high research activity, the university is also a member of the Universities Research Association. The university’s official colors are black and gold.
The University of Iowa Accreditation Details
The Higher Learning Commission has accredited the University of Iowa, and the university participates in the Open Pathway model for accreditation. The university undergoes regular institutional updates, federal compliance reviews, and assurance reviews, as well as pursues quality initiatives. The institutional update is submitted online each year, and the assurance review requires a site visit. The university was most recently accredited during the 2018 to 2019 school year.
In addition to regional accreditation, the school is also accredited for several of its programs. Organizations that have given the university accreditation include the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.
The University of Iowa Application Requirements
To gain first-year admission to the University of Iowa, students must complete several high school course requirements, as well as achieve a Regent Admission Index score of at least 245 for Iowa residents and 255 for non-residents. Application deadlines can vary somewhat based on the school to which the student must apply for his or her degree program. Additionally, specific application materials and prerequisites can also vary.
For example, students who want to apply to programs within the College of Engineering must reach a Regent Admission Index of 265, have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.33, and finish the recommended courses for the university. It’s also recommended that applicants to the College of Engineering take a year of high school physics, a year of high school chemistry, and strive for A and B grades in all science and math courses.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The estimated cost of attendance for undergraduate students at the University of Iowa is $9,830 for Iowa residents and $31,793 for non-residents. Housing and meals are $11,400 for all students. Total billed expenses for residents will reach $21,230 for Iowa residents and $43,193 for non-residents. Other estimated expenses include books and supplies of approximately $950, personal expenses of $2,204, and transportation costs of $646.
For graduate students, tuition and fees should come to approximately $11,655.50 for Iowa residents and $30,612.50 for non-residents. The university also expects that students will pay $650 for books and $14,744 for living expenses. In all, graduate students should be prepared to pay $27,059.50 per year if they’re residents of Iowa or $4,006.50 if they’re residents from outside the state.
Students must submit a FAFSA form online if they want to qualify for financial aid at the University of Iowa. One of the unique features of the school’s financial aid program is that the department offers financial literacy services that can help students track their spending, understand their credit report, and keep track of their student loan balance.
Students who apply for financial aid at the University of Iowa will receive an award notification as early as mid-February and should look for an email to determine when the award will be available. Students who are interested in applying for scholarships at the University of Iowa should note that some scholarship deadlines occur well in advance of general admission deadlines.